7 Stunning Squirrel Paintings for Red Squirrel Awareness Week

In support of Red Squirrel Awareness Week, I thought I'd share my collection of paintings of red squirrels with you.

Red squirrels are in serious trouble. The latest estimated population is just 140,000 , of which 75% or more are in Scotland. According to Red Squirrels Northern England populations here in the north of England are still dismally low. The main problems are disease, specifically squirrel pox, the loss and fragmentation of their woodland habitat, and competition from the more robust grey squirrel.

I hope you see the collection below as a celebration of the beautiful red squirrel:

1. Squirrels in the North of England

Squirrel of Formby, limited edition print. Buy now

The picture above was painted after a visit to Formby, in Merseyside, where the National Trust protects an isolated colony of reds. There are only a handful of refuges left for red squirrels in the UK, of which Formby is one.

2. Squirrel on Scots Pine

Squirrel on Scots Pine| Bespoke Print Available on Request

3. Red Squirrel in the Lakes

4. Winter Squirrels

Another refuge is at Anglesey where conservationists have concentrated on controlling the red squirrel's biggest competitors; greys. The Red Squirrels Trust Wales has successfully helped this population grow by its policy to eradicate grey squirrels. Grey squirrels that dare to cross the bridge off the mainland are relentlessly trapped. The island has now become such a safe haven for the reds. so much so that recently these indigenous species have begun crossing onto mainland Wales where the population is slowly growing.

Squirrel Nutkin |Limited Edition Print | Buy now.

5. Yorkshire Squirrels

Squirrels of Snaizeholme | Bespoke Print Available on Request.

Here in Yorkshire, red squirrels are tragically sparse. However, there is a thriving colony at Snaizeholme in the Dales. Click here to read my blog post about watching them there and see the photographs I took. I visited the colony whilst the snow was still on the ground and was particularly captivated by one squirrel in the colony. It had a slightly kinked tail and was very cheeky!