Press Release

Help the Red Squirrels in your area

Friday, 18 June 2010

Are you interested in helping red squirrels in your area? If you would like to learn more about them and find out how you can help, please come along to the Red Squirrels of the West meeting.

The event will be held on Thursday June 24th 2010 at 7pm at the Stable Yard, Baronscourt Estate, Newtownstewart.

The red squirrel is a priority species for Derry as outlined in the ‘Wildlife Action in Derry-Londonderry’, local biodiversity action plan.

Since the introduction of the American grey squirrel to County Longford about 100 years ago, the red has had to compete with the grey for food and territory, ultimately losing this battle and gradually being pushed out of its natural range. Without help, the red squirrel will eventually disappear.

This first meeting, coordinated by Baronscourt Estates, local Biodiversity Officers and Northern Ireland Environment Agency, will discuss the conservation issues surrounding red squirrels and explore what local action can be taken to help.

Wildlife Education Officer with Derry City Council, Annie Mullan, said: “To lead the meeting, NIEA will discuss the progress made by the All Ireland Red Squirrel Forum and representatives from Red Squirrel Groups in Northern Ireland will be present to impart advice on setting up a Red Squirrel Group.

“By bringing together a group of people who are interested in helping the red squirrel in the west, we can share our knowledge and ideas of how we can start to help.

“A vital starting point will be to map recent sightings of red and grey squirrels. Whilst we know reds are present in areas around Baronscourt stretching north through Strabane and Donemana to Prehen, south and south east as far as Gortin and westwards through Killeter and Lough Bradan into Donegal, accurate and recent records are poor.

“So ask your friends and neighbours where and when they have last seen any squirrel and either bring these records to the meeting or report them to your local biodiversity officer, Christine Doherty. “

To find out more about this meeting and notify your attendance please contact Julie Corry at Omagh District Council on 028 82256202 or on Julie.corry@omagh.gov.uk.

For further press information please contact 028 71 37 6504

Press Office

Tabhair cuidiú don Iora Rua i do cheantar féin

Meitheamh 2010

Ar mhaith leatsa cuidiú a thabhairt do na hioraí rua i do cheantar féin?

Tá an t-iora rua aitheanta i bPlean Bithéagsúlachta Dhoire - ‘Wildlife Action in Derry-Londonderry’ mar speiceas tosaíochta ainmhíoch a bhfuil cuidiú ar leith de dhíth air.

Ó tugadh isteach an t-iora liath Meiriceánach chuig Contae an Longfoirt céad bliain ó shin tá brú méadaithe ar an iora rua dul san iomaíocht leis an iora liath fá choinne bia agus foscaidh ach tá an t-iora rua ag cailleadh an chatha seo de thairbhe go bhfuil sé á bhrú amach as a cheantar dúchasach. Gan chuidiú imeoidh an t-iora rua le sruth go deo.

Dúirt Annie Mullan, Oifigeach Oideachais Fiadhúlra le Comhairle Cathrach Dhoire: “An chéad rud is tábhachtaí le déanamh ná taifead a choinneáil de líon na n-ioraí rua agus liatha a fheictear ar fud an cheantair. Cé go dtuigeann muid go bhfuil ioraí rua ann sa cheantar thart ar Chúirt an Bharúin, ar an tSrath Bán, Dún na Manach, Préachán, An Goirtín, An Choill Íochtair, Loch na mBradán agus i gContae Dhún na nGall, ach níl na taifid is déanaí cruinn ná cuimsitheach.

“Cuir ceist ar do chairde agus ar do chomharsanaí le fáil amach má chonaic siad iora ar na mallaibh agus cuir an t-eolas seo in iúl don Chomhairle: thig leat dul i dteagmháil le Christine Doherty nó le Annie Mullan”.

Tuilleadh eolais ar fáil faoin nasc seo www.derrycity.gov.uk/biodiversity/index.htm nó is féidir scairt a chur ar Chomhairle Cathrach Dhoire ar 028 71365 151

Preasoifig

Teil: 028 71 376504
Facs: 028 71 264858
Adele McCourt
Email: Adele.McCourt@derrycity.gov.uk
Claire Lundy
Email: Claire.Lundy@derrycity.gov.uk

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