Report a squirrel or pine marten sighting 

The citizen science drive, led by local nature conservation charity Ulster Wildlife, will help build a bigger picture of how these three species are faring across the county and support conservation efforts to help red squirrels thrive.

Red squirrels are Ireland’s only native squirrel and have suffered significant declines due to competition from invasive grey squirrels introduced to Ireland in the early 20th century. Grey squirrels compete with red squirrels for food and territory and can transmit the squirrelpox virus, which is generally harmless to greys but can be fatal to red squirrels.

However, recent research carried out by the charity shows that greys are retreating in many areas of Northern Ireland, with reds recovering, as a result of the successful comeback of another native species, the pine marten.

Ross McIlwrath, Priority Species Officer with Ulster Wildlife, said that public sightings play a vital role in monitoring these three species across County Derry/Londonderry.

“The distribution of red and grey squirrels across the County has changed in recent years, and there are still significant gaps in our knowledge. Our last survey suggests that red squirrels are disappearing from the Walled City and that grey squirrels are disappearing from the Bann and Moyola river valleys, but we need more data to confirm these trends.

“In 2021, the Binevenagh Red Squirrel Group rediscovered a red squirrel population for the first time in decades, which is fantastic news. We’re eager to know if there are other exciting reports of red squirrels returning to woodlands in the area where they haven’t been seen for years.

"Sightings not only help us create a clearer picture of how populations are shifting over time, but they enable the local red squirrel groups to act quickly in areas where grey squirrels are a threat to red squirrel populations," he added.

Our last survey suggests that red squirrels are disappearing from the Walled City and that grey squirrels are disappearing from the Bann and Moyola river valleys, but we need more data to confirm these trends.

Sightings can be reported anytime. They will also contribute to the 2026 All-Ireland Squirrel & Pine Marten Survey, led by the University of Galway, Ulster Wildlife and the Vincent Wildlife Trust, which is mapping the latest distribution of red and grey squirrels and pine martens across the island of Ireland.

Three local red squirrel groups are working across the County that people can volunteer with and help reds thrive: The North West Squirrel Group, which supports red squirrels in Muff Glen, Eglinton; the Binevenagh Red Squirrel Group; and the Mid-Ulster Squirrel Group, which supports pockets of red squirrels around Maghera and in the Sperrins.

Information on how to volunteer for a local red squirrel group, and find the best places to see red squirrels, can be found at ulsterwildlife.org/red-squirrels

Report a squirrel or pine marten sighting