Feeding Red Squirrels

Feeding the red squirrels from your hand encourages them to become tame and puts them at greater risk from disease and predators. Diseases including leprosy and staphylococcus aureus (and the related fatal exudative dermatitis) are transmissible between humans and squirrels. They are wild animals and should be treated as such.

Excessive feeding attracts pests such as rats which are a threat to young squirrels and other wildlife such as water voles and birds. Pests are a vector for diseases affecting both humans and squirrels. There is an abundant natural food source here; please refrain from putting down food so, we can keep Alverstone Mead rat free. 

You can still get great photos of the red squirrels without putting food down. Here's a few tips from us: 

Keep as still and as a quiet as possible. 

Have your camera out and ready to shoot.

Keep a low profile. 

Be patient!