GARDENING guru Alan Titchmarsh has ‘joined the battle’ to save the red squirrels – encouraging gardeners on the Isle of Wight and the rest of the UK to plant trees and shrubs to feed our furry friends.

Ahead of Red Squirrel Appreciation Day, the Red Squirrel Survival Trust has made the announcement.

As an ambassador for the trust, Alan has joined the fight to protect one of our most endangered species.

The initial aim is to encourage gardeners in and around areas that have existing red squirrel populations to plant growing larders. 

Isle of Wight County Press: Snack time for a Red Squirrel in Sandown. Picture by Pamela Parker.Snack time for a Red Squirrel in Sandown. Picture by Pamela Parker. (Image: Pamela Parker.)

A method of fertility control which will significantly reduce Britain’s 2.7 million alien grey squirrel population is entering the final stages of research.

Following landscape field trials, it is hoped it will be commercially available shortly after.

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To contain the fertility control agent, a special dispenser has been developed which can only be accessed by grey squirrels.

These will be installed in major woods and forests across the UK, and will also be available to private garden owners.

Isle of Wight County Press: A 'super' squirrel on the Isle of Wight. Picture by Sue Sibley.A 'super' squirrel on the Isle of Wight. Picture by Sue Sibley. (Image: Sue Sibley.)

“Many greys carry a pox which is harmless to them, but fatal to reds, and we try to prevent them mixing,” said Vanessa Fawcett for the trust.

“The reds will quickly re-populate areas vacated by the greys, but we have to ensure a plentiful source of food, and this is where Alan has been extremely helpful.”

“A plentiful supply of appropriate food and fresh water is essential for the reds to breed,” said Alan.

“The most popular growing food sources are acorns, walnuts, hazelnuts, conifer seeds, holly berries, crab apples, wild and bird cherries, Bullace, Dogrose and Guelder rose hips, blackberries and raspberries.

Isle of Wight County Press: A Red Squirrel on the Isle of Wight. Picture by Josh Thomas.A Red Squirrel on the Isle of Wight. Picture by Josh Thomas. (Image: Josh Thomas.)

“They also love sunflower hearts.

“These trees and shrubs are suitable for gardens of all sizes, and by planting them now, they will grow and mature and be ready for when the red squirrels come home.

“Red squirrels have lived here for more than 10,000 years and were our only squirrels. 

“That was until the mid-1800s, when a small number of grey squirrels from America were released in a handful of parks and country estates as a novelty species. 

“The rest is history, but we are now hoping to reverse this.”