Endangered red squirrels have been found for the first time in an 18-hectare Sitka spruce plantation in the Western Yorkshire Dales. This positive news is being announced to coincide with Red Squirrel Appreciation Day (21 January).

Reds had not been seen in the plantation before and the UK Squirrel Accord’s project officer, Julie Bailey, identified them. She believes the colony will prosper and increase. Since the squirrels have been confirmed, the owners now plan to manage the landscape with the population in mind.

Project Officer Bailey explained: “The plantation owners gave permission to survey a specific area using thermal imaging technology that picks up body heat. I found four individual red squirrels. I then placed two cameras in the area and was able to confirm a new colony of red squirrels. The plantation owners were delighted.”