During my time back home visiting the Isle of Wight this spring I took the time to visit Alverstone Mead, a great location to view the beautiful red squirrels and local wildlife. At peak, there are 3500 red squirrels on the island based on the success or failure of the seed crop growth in Autumn. We took the correct food to feed the squirrels and allowed plenty of time to view them. The island is the perfect nature sanctuary and well worth your patience to spot them!Â
We were lucky to see two red squirrels during our quiet stay at the hut, a younger one and a fully grown one. However you really do have to be patient. We had arrived at Alverstone around 11:00am so rather on the late side, but we had no other plans for the day so we had plenty of time to sit and wait for a furry fellow to come by.
There is a bird & red squirrel watching hut called the The Bern Thearle Hide, which has recently been renewed and fixed up by volunteers. There were already a few people quietly whispering to themselves waiting around who had also not yet seen any.
Placing the nuts and dried fruit on the specially cut tree and along the edge of the pathway made it inviting for not just squirrels but the beautiful local birds such as blue tits, finches and robins. There is also a feeder already in place that is filled up by bird watchers and volunteers from the hut where the birds feed from.
Where To Spot Red Squirrels
I recommend sitting out at Alverstone Mead as a great location, however other locations recommended by Wight Squirrels to spot red squirrels include:
- Behind the railway exhibit at Fort Victoria, Yarmouth
- Quarr
- Newport to Cowes cycle track
- Robin Hill
- The Garlic Farm, Newchurch
- In and around Shanklin Chine and village
What To Feed Red Squirrels
When we visited in Spring, we bought some delicious hazelnuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, dried fruit and some mixed seeds with coconut (also for the birds) from the local store Easy Weigh. These are all very healthy for the squirrels. Easy Weigh is also a perfect place to pick up some sweets for yourself too while you go red squirrel spotting!
One thing you should absolutely avoid feeding the red squirrels are brazil nuts and fatballs.
If you are visiting the Isle of Wight during the late spring and early summer, this is perfect for feeding red squirrels at these times due to food shortages so you will really help them out too.
For more information please visit Wight Squirrels website!
Check out our other Isle of Wight posts here:
Summary
Tips:
- Find a viewing spot and stand very still and quiet – they hide from movement and sound!
- Dusk and dawn times are best, avoiding the usual dog walking times
- Well worth your patience to see these magnificent wild animals
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Have you spotted any red squirrels before? Share with us in the comments!
20 Comments
Liz
17th May 2018 at 5:46 amHow cute is that! Amazing pictures and congrats on capturing them so well!
Zoe | Together In Transit
18th May 2018 at 9:21 amThank you! I could of stayed for hours watching them!
Mayuri Patel
17th May 2018 at 6:14 amohh my go, they are such qutie..love it
so much greenery in the pictures, looks like isle of wight is relaxing place to spend time with nature and wildlife
Zoe | Together In Transit
18th May 2018 at 9:25 amThanks for commenting! It’s a lovely place for the nature, so many different beaches and a forest, with more than 100 walking routes – this route is one of the cutest with the squirrels 🙂
Paola
17th May 2018 at 6:45 amI love squirrels!
Zoe | Together In Transit
18th May 2018 at 9:26 amSo cute right!?
Niche Travel Design
17th May 2018 at 6:48 amI love squirrels in general, but these little red ones are so cute. Great photos!
Zoe | Together In Transit
18th May 2018 at 9:26 amThank you 🙂
Joy Generoso
17th May 2018 at 7:05 amOmg! Those red squirrels were adorable. Your photos looks very captivating that I wanted to pick them. Thanks for sharing on what are the proper food to feed for this cute creatures. How i wish I could also visit the place. 🙂
Zoe | Together In Transit
18th May 2018 at 9:28 amYes it sure is important not to feed them the wrong food as they can get sick just like us if we eat something raw etc. I’m glad these creatures are wild though, peacefully living in these well looked after locations 🙂
Bangali Backpackers
17th May 2018 at 8:50 amO hello, squirrel! Aren’t they adorable? Also, they look so different from the ones we commonly see in Oregon.
Zoe | Together In Transit
18th May 2018 at 9:30 amVERY adorable!! I’ve never been to Oregon, is there some locations to spot them? Thank you for commenting 🙂
Maike
17th May 2018 at 9:53 amAhhh, squirrels are so cute! Watching them on the Isle of Wight must be a great experience!
Zoe | Together In Transit
18th May 2018 at 9:33 amIt was very nice! I could of stayed watching them all day!
Bird's Travels - Kasia Ptak
17th May 2018 at 3:29 pmSo cute, but do not be fooled they can bite pretty hard I was told 🙂 I am actually used to seeing red squirrels as I grew up on the Polish countryside where there is plenty of them. I never thought I will see black or grey ones though. But when I moved to Michigan those are the only ones I see now:)
Zoe | Together In Transit
18th May 2018 at 9:38 amYes I definitely kept my distance, they are not to be handled! Lovely to hear you have also had the experience of seeing these cute red ones in the wild, I hope to see a black squirrel in the future – another great excuse to travel hehe!
lifeoutside2by2
18th May 2018 at 7:59 amThese res squirrels are so adorable! Nature is gifted and these cute ones make every thing so sweet! Loved reading about your journey into the Isle of Wight. I would love to meet them myself someday.. 😛
Zoe | Together In Transit
18th May 2018 at 9:37 amThank you for commenting 🙂 These red ones are not only on the Isle of Wight, as I believe there are a few locations in England, as for the rest of the world I’m not sure! 🙂
ARI
18th May 2018 at 9:10 amThe local birds are just too much. How beautiful. But I have seen some similar squirrels in Germany last spring time, leaping from tree to tree (looking like flying monkeys I swear) and they are truly beautiful. it’s important to not disturb nature, not offer food. just to observe.
Zoe | Together In Transit
18th May 2018 at 9:15 amThank you for commenting 🙂 I’ve heard of similar Squirrels in Germany too buy never seen them there myself. As these are red ones and tightly observed to preserve them on the small island, it is encouraged to feed them at this location as long as you provide the correct food as there are often shortages of food in the wild there 🙂