Are pine martens and red squirrels teaming up to prey on grey squirrels?

PEOPLE out and about during the October bank holiday, especially in wooded areas, may see some native red squirrels as autumn is a busy time for them. They can be observed feasting on nuts, seeds and berries and gathering their hoards of food for winter months ahead.

We’ve seen these delightful creatures with the trademark bushy tail a number of times in recent weeks on the ground and on trees. During the splendid weather, everyone seemed to be talking about the beauty of trees in their varied seasonal hues of brown, orange, bronze and gold, enhanced by squirrels and other wildlife.

The Irish red squirrel has some serious survival issues to contend with, but it has been spared the scourge of leprosy which has hit the population in Scotland and England.