After the extreme cold of the winter, the Kilnsey Park red squirrels are seen playing and eating most days, especially in the spring sunshine.    We put extra warm bedding for the red squirrels in the autumn so they should have been very snug during the winter.   

Sadly we have lost a number of red squirrels during the autumn and winter.  As we lost some red squirrels due to the novo virus, we have been approached by Liverpool University who want to take blood samples to do further research into the squirrel pox and the novo virus. We have two pairs remaining, and they are seen  chasing each other round the cage which  is usually a sort of courtship!  Hopefully they will  produce kittens this summer.  We are also hopeful that we will receive one or two red squirrels from another wildlife centre, but others have been hit by the virus.

Springtime is generally a very busy time for the red squirrels after a winter of limited activity.  As the weather becomes warmer and brighter they spend much more time playing outside and start their courtship rituals.  Also during the springtime red squirrels moult which is when their coats will change colour to take on their beautiful deep red shade.  Our red squirrels still have their distinctive tufts around their ears – one of the features that distinguishes them from the grey squirrels.  The tufts will disappear soon when the moult will be complete.