The Scots pine was the only large native conifer to survive the last ice age, and the red squirrel one of the last mammals to colonise Britain before it was cut off from the rest of Europe some 9,000 years ago. The animal was widespread until the 1940's, since then it has disappeared from large areas of the country. As it moved out, grey squirrels moved in. Is there a connection - no-one really knows but it is looking increasingly likely.

Red squirrels are most likely to be seen when foraging for food in heavily forested areas soon after dawn. It will not come out in wet weather but survives winter without the need to hibernate. Constantly foraging squirrels run up and down trees (head first), gripping onto the bark with strong, sharp claws. Food is recognised by its smell and they enjoy a wide variety of fruits, nuts, pollen, flowers and fungi. Thriving best where a mixture of different tree types gives the fullest range of food.