BBC television’s Iolo’s Wild Wales recently featured red squirrels filmed in Carmarthenshire. Squirrels from forests north of Pumsaint managed by a member of the Mid Wales Red Squirrel Project were filmed from a hide.

Since its inception the Mid Wales Red Squirrel Project has managed to raise the profile of the presence of this species in the mid Wales forests from occasional sightings to being recognised as one of three focal areas for this species in Wales. The work of the Group has helped influence WAG to produce a Conservation Plan for Red Squirrels in Wales. Survey work has shown that these squirrels are genetically unique and of Welsh ancestry. This has now resulted in squirrels from the mid Wales forests being featured a number of times on wildlife programmes. However, becoming TV personalities may not be enough to save them. The ultimate aim is to influence the management of these forests to ensure the continued survival of this declining native species – suitable conifer species must be present, connectivity between habitats maintained and grey squirrels controlled. The Project has mapped a focal and associated buffer area (within which grey control should be focused). The Forestry Commission has undertaken a modelling exercise to look habitat connectivity and the ability of reds and greys to move through the forest which should help confirm the focal/buffer areas. Now is a key time for red squirrel conservation in mid Wales - it is vital that sufficient action is taken to ensure that in years to come the only squirrels that can be seen won’t just be those recorded for posterity on TV!