WWRST4

Red Squirrel Trail

Cowes � Yarmouth
The first day follows part of the coastal path. The trail leads you along cliff tops before descending onto the beach at Thorness bay where your likely to see wading birds, including oyster catchers, ringed plovers and redshanks. After the Thorness Holiday Village you veer away from the coast and inland through the Newton National Nature Reserve with further bird watching opportunities on offer. Shortly thereafter, the trail makes its way back towards the coast passing through Hampstead and along the edge of Bouldner copse, eventually arriving in the attractive, bustling town of Yarmouth.

Yarmouth - Hulverstone
Passing through the nature reserve of Headon Warren and up to the Needles headland with its spectacular views. The trail continues along the chalk ridge of Tennysons Down past the Tennyson Monument following chalk cliff tops across Brooke and Mottistone Downs before arriving in Hulverstone with its 500 year old thatched pub.

Hulverstone � Cowes
Climbing up to Mottistone down and the Long Stone with its Myths & legends. Shortly thereafter entering Brighstone Forest. Following old loggers� paths through the woods before joining the Tennyson trail. Turning down hill through Monkham woods and onto Parkhurst forest one of the strong holds of the Red Squirrel. Parkhurst Forest was mentioned in the Domesday records as a royal hunting forest at which time, it extended as far as Cowes (hence the village name of Northwood) where your journey ends. (how many did you see?)

WIGHT SQUIRREL PROJECT

Red squirrels are the only squirrel native to the British Isles. They are disappearing from the mainland fast and are being replaced by the introduced American grey squirrel.

The Isle of Wight is an important stronghold as the Solent provides a barrier to grey squirrels. The Isle of Wight�s woodland can provide habitat for around 3,500 squirrels. Numbers fluctuate annually according to the success or failure of the autumn seed crop. They also fluctuate seasonally when young are born.

Red squirrels on the Island live mainly in broadleaved woodland - which is unique nowadays as greys dominate this habitat on the mainland. The Island is also free of deer, who nibble young shoots and retard regrowth of understorey trees.

Wight Squirrel Project is an independent, local charity that relies on donations, fundraising events, sponsorship and grants to keep it going. If you give a donation of �5 or more, you will become �A Friend of the Red Squirrel� for a year and receive a certificate.

For more information please click on the following link to their web site. www.wightsquirrels.co.uk