January 21st is Red Squirrel Appreciation Day, and the University of Galway is launching a nationwide survey to mark it.
The 2026 All-Ireland Squirrel and Pine Marten Survey is inviting people to help track the woodland mammals by recording sightings throughout the year.
The online survey is led by researchers in University of Galway, Ulster Wildlife and the Vincent Wildlife Trust, and is part of a monitoring programme running since 1997.
Dr Colin Lawton of University of Galway’s School of Natural Sciences says the survey aims to map the latest distribution of red and grey squirrels, and the pine marten across the island of Ireland.
The 2026 survey is being delivered with the support of the National Biodiversity Data Centre in the Republic of Ireland and CEDaR in Northern Ireland.
Sightings of all three mammals can be recorded on the online survey forms hosted on their websites www.biodiversityireland.ie and www2.habitas.org.uk/records.
The red squirrel is Ireland’s only native squirrel species, once widespread in forests and wooded areas.
The introduction of the grey squirrel in 1911 has had devastating consequences on our native species through disease and competition for food, leading to the disappearance of red squirrels from large parts of the country.
For many years, the future of the red squirrel looked bleak.
However, recent surveys have revealed a remarkable and unexpected turnaround, with the grey squirrel being knocked back in certain areas, and the reds showing signs of recovery.
In several regions, grey squirrel numbers have declined sharply, while red squirrels are showing encouraging signs of recovery.
Research linked this shift to the successful comeback of another native species, the pine marten - tree dwelling carnivores and one of the few predators that can successfully hunt grey squirrels.
Because the red squirrel evolved alongside pine martens, they are better adapted to avoiding them and can escape danger more easily.
