Killiney Hill Red Squirrels

Vetinarugbian

I was just wondering if anybody has a good update on how these guys are getting on? I heard that a few had gone off exploring in a sort of Dun Laoghaire direction, I guess along the DART line.

But how are the other guys doing? Any deaths reported over winter and also is it true that when they were released there were 3 survivors still there from a previous release? Why is there confidence that this time things will fair better. There has clearly been a huge increase in greys in the area in the last few years as I never saw them in the back garden till about 4 or 5 years ago and now i see them everyday and im about 1km from the hill.

It would be great if it worked and a good solid breeding group were doing well. Could there be a cause for further introductions; pine martins being the first to spring to mind, badgers (are there badgers???) even deer?
It would be great, I hope the people helping get all the help they require.

whyulittle

They have a Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/TestKRSQ?ref=ts&fref=ts

B0jangles

One of them has been living in our garden here in Bray for the last 4 days Definitely has to be of that group as he/she is wearing a tracking collar.

Vetinarugbian

My God, Bray is a long trek, could it be from a forest in Wicklow?
It does seem a bit fruitless for the aims of the project to have a breeding adult head off so far away from the others. I hear that last year was a bad year for acorns and resulted in the squirrels having to eat sycamore seeds which are pretty rubbish for them hence many have left the confines of Killliney hill which seems a shame and again makes me ask the question if the hill is suitable seeing as the last time around the reintroduced squirrels didnet make it either.

B0jangles

Possibly, we've gotten in touch with the relevant wildlife officer-type person for Wicklow so hopefully they'll be able to come over and check where it's from via the collar. We are right beside the railtrack and from reading the info on the facebook page, it does seem like they been spotted at various locations near along the line, so maybe they are using it as a sort of highway?

F.R.

Vetinarugbian wrote: »

makes me ask the question if the hill is suitable seeing as the last time around the reintroduced squirrels didnet make it either.

Red squirrels have been in the Killiney area since about 1870. There have been no previous re-introductions and the current project is not a re-introduction it is an augmentation Red squirrels were still living on Killiney Hill.

Hollzy

There was a segment on this on Nationwide tonight.

emo72

is there a public park in killiney where the squirrels are at? wouldnt mind dragging the kids out for a walk and looking out for them.

not familiar with killiney at all, except its where all the rich geezers live. dont want anyone panicing when a westsider arrives

B0jangles

emo72 wrote: »

is there a public park in killiney where the squirrels are at? wouldnt mind dragging the kids out for a walk and looking out for them.

not familiar with killiney at all, except its where all the rich geezers live. dont want anyone panicing when a westsider arrives

Yep, it's very nice - look up "Killiney Hill Park" on google maps and it'll pop straight up.

emo72

B0jangles wrote: »

Yep, it's very nice - look up "Killiney Hill Park" on google maps and it'll pop straight up.

thanks, I'll give it a go so.

B0jangles

emo72 wrote: »

thanks, I'll give it a go so.

Have fun! It really is nice. I'd have posted a direct link to the google maps location except I'm not sure how :pac:

From my own experience of the squirrel in our garden, mornings around 9 - 10:30 are the best chance of seeing them down foraging. Our guy is a fixture around then and totally random after that.

cuddlycavies

Vetinarugbian wrote: »

My God, Bray is a long trek, could it be from a forest in Wicklow?
It does seem a bit fruitless for the aims of the project to have a breeding adult head off so far away from the others. I hear that last year was a bad year for acorns and resulted in the squirrels having to eat sycamore seeds which are pretty rubbish for them hence many have left the confines of Killliney hill which seems a shame and again makes me ask the question if the hill is suitable seeing as the last time around the reintroduced squirrels didnet make it either.

There are resident populations of reds in Bray. I know of them at Church Rd and Hills garage copses. There are greys too in the desidous trees and gardens

.223forme

where i live i havnt seen a grey squirrel ever and im always outdoors shootin and trapping,,its all reds ..has to be to do with the more than plentiful supply of pine martens in the area

bernard0368

cuddlycavies wrote: »

There are resident populations of reds in Bray. I know of them at Church Rd and Hills garage copses. There are greys too in the desidous trees and gardens

Are they still there? I remember them been around those areas years ago.

whyulittle

Public Information Meeting on the DLR Red Squirrel Project

In response to ongoing requests for updates on the Killiney Hill Red Squirrel Translocation and the overwhelming support we have received for the project, the Council is holding a public information meeting to provide local residents with an update on the project in the:

Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel on Thursday 21st February at 7.30pm.

https://www.facebook.com/TestKRSQ/posts/458149250905380

wildlifeboy

I was on the hill last saturday morning in the beautiful sunshine scoping for them but didnt catch a glimpse. anyone know a decent spot to look for them on the hill?

Amalgam

Just had a very lively red squirrel visit the garden.. with 3 magpies acting the maggot with it. Lovely ears.

Jumping between a clump of stout and lofty Echium plants, on the way to the bird feeders.

We'd be within sight of the Obelisk on Killiney Hill, but closer to the Killiney Shopping Centre.

I'm on a phone. I have to pull photos and video from a camera at some point..

I'll connect with the local group on Facebook and report it.

Amalgam

..those ears.









Jumping leap to an Echium.