Nestled in a wooden squirrel hide in National Trust Plas Newydd House and Garden, Anglesey, the sound of the heavy wind is muffled by the dense rows of red Scots pine trees that surround it, their ribboned bark the only clue to the presence of a reclusive resident – one you might never lay eyes on your entire life, even though it has been a vibrant member of our wildlife for more than 10,000 years.

       Disease and disappearing habitat have paved the way for a glitch on this fertile landscape, a glitch that has become a gaping hole for most of the UK where the iconic species has all but disappeared with less than 5% of the population ever having seen one. But it’s not a big cat or wild boar that we are hoping for a glimpse of on this bracing morning in north Wales… but the humble red squirrel. Such is the national pride in our auburn-hued rodent that the discovery of a new settlement on a tree plantation in the Yorkshire Dales made national headlines in January.

       The triumphant appearance of a red squirrel colony prompted the community to leap into action and declare their dedication to nurturing the rare guest.

       Following the sightings, the Yorkshire Dales Red Squirrel Alliance was quickly set up by volunteers, funded by the Forestry Commission and the “delighted” plantation owners have given their permission for a full survey of the land to be undertaken in the hope the population will increase and bolster the dwindling population in England.

       There are thought to be fewer than 40,000 red squirrels and, nationally, 160,000 with 120,000 in Scotland. All of which makes sightings extremely rare.

       This small mammal has an average lifespan of three years, breeds a litter of two to three young (known as kits) twice a year, of which 75-85% will perish in their first winter with survivors facing the constant mortal threat of squirrel pox.

       So what does it take to bring reds back from the brink and provide a safe haven for the ancient breed to flourish once again? To find out, I’m visiting the pioneering Red Squirrel Conservation Programme, set up by Snowdonia sheep farmer Esme Kirby in the nineties after their population on Anglesey dwindled to less than 40.

       Through the relentless dedication of the community who rallied to help the breed there are now 800 reds, largely undisturbed by greys, on the island.

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       Geraint Strello, a red squirrell ranger with the National Trust on Anglesey, knows exactly the hard work needed if these indigenous species are to regain their homelands.

       It’s taken nearly three decades for dedicated volunteers to help build up the population to 800 and growing. Sitting quietly in the Plas Newydd squirrel hide it’s still a huge moment of pride for Geraint to see a red squirrel pop up to a feeding box for some sunflower seeds.

       “It’s hard to imagine that a whole generation of Anglesey residents still remembers seeing these reds as often as many of us see greys now,” he says.

       “It’s a reminder of just how catastrophic their decline was between the 60s and 90s.”

       Red squirrels were a familiar burst of colour on the lush Welsh landscape of Anglesey until the 1960s when locals began to notice a notably greyer presence on the horizon.

       Grey squirrels finally made it from the mainland where their numbers had been growing since Brits began travelling to and from America in the 1800s.

       The novelty newcomer had arrived on our shores as an ornamental breed, to decorate the gardens of the wealthy. Unbeknownst to importers, the desirable mammal carried a deadly form of squirrel pox. Greys were immune but the disease was about to push one of the UK’s most vibrant wildlife species to the brink of extinction.

       The invasion saw hundreds of thousands of red squirrels dying when blisters formed around their eyes and mouth, caused by the pox, and prevented them from eating.

       As their numbers fell, the hardy greys expanded their colonies and took over vast areas of woodland once populated by the vanishing reds – often swimming to find a new territory where food was plentiful and their colonies could thrive.

       By 1995, the native reds on the isle had diminished from thousands to a worryingly sparse 35. Geraint is confident the community effort on Anglesey will see the numbers grow again. He explains: “It was the community who brought the decline to the attention of the council and petitioned for measures to be taken to help the reds.

       “We had to cull the grey squirrel population but they are very resilient and can breed and expand at a much greater rate than the reds. Even without the threat of pox the woodlands were decreasing because of development which was another hurdle for the reds who struggled to move further afield to create new colonies [and] that led to inbreeding and higher mortality rates.

       “You have to be practical about your approach and it wouldn’t be reasonable to oppose all new developments but we had to make allowances for our wildlife that included maintaining connectivity between woodlands and hedgerows in gardens so our animals could travel between different areas and not get hemmed in.”

       According to Geraint, the role played by the community is intrinsic to the survival of the reds. Facebook and WhatsApp groups operate to alert groups such as the Red Squirrels Trust Wales and the National Trust to sightings of greys and deaths of reds.

       Tests can reveal the cause of death which helps inform conservation planning.

       Ffion Roberts at the National Trust Plas Newydd believes reds have a special place in people’s hearts.

       She says: “It’s incredible to see people come and sit in these huts for hours on end just hoping to catch a glimpse of a squirrel – sometimes they get lucky and the joy is written all over their faces.

       “It’s like a glimpse into the past but with all the efforts of the people on Anglesey and beyond, I’m confident it will become the future.”

       Silence falls on the hut as one of the rarest creatures in the UK makes a speedy descent from a tree to feast on sunflower seeds.

       In a hushed tone Geraint remarks: “Seeing them in their natural habitat, enjoying the environment they are born to roam in is a real moment of pride for everyone involved in the conservation effort.

       “I’ve known ex-servicemen battling depression to get involved in local volunteer groups and see a real positive change in their mental health – it’s a great feeling to be able to help restore these beautiful squirrels to their natural habitat.

       “There are so many ways people can get involved – putting out food they need – including cuttlefish for calcium, since farmers are no longer allowed to leave deceased animals out on the fields there are no bones available for the squirrels to get calcium from. There are lots of changes that we need to help the squirrels adapt to - and we’re getting there.”

       A few golden moments watching the red squirrel blaze around the tree and it’s understandable why so many feel compelled to assist the conservation project.

       And it’s something Craig Shuttleworth from the Red Squirrel Trust Wales is determined to keep campaigning about until there is a vaccine for squirrel pox.

       Recent reports of sick and lethargic squirrels in Scotland have sparked concerns among the Scottish Wildlife Trust that squirrelpox may have reached the red squirrel heartland.

       Craig says: “I’ve been part of the red squirrel effort on Anglesey since the 90s when conservationist Esme Kirby invited me to join her crusade.

       “We have come so far but we do need a vaccine to ensure red squirrels thrive again across the whole of the UK – if we could protect reds there is no reason why they couldn’t be reintroduced to London and other major towns and cities.

       “There would still be a need to control the grey population as they are more resilient that the reds but that’s not to say more aggressive.

       “People have this idea that because of their size reds are really feeble and it’s not true – when I have to handle a red for conservation work they are so angry with me – they speed off when released but not before stopping and stamping their feet and issuing an alarm call, greys are much more chilled.”

       Craig’s petition to back a vaccine was debated in the Senedd in 2023 and the Welsh government has just launched a feasibility report into a vaccination programme.

       Craig explains: “I believe the cost of a vaccine would outweigh the yearly costs of controlling greys – they are really good at reaching places we don’t want them to.

       “They are coming in inside engine bays on lorries, caravans and camper vans – there is even footage of them jumping aboard a passenger car on a train, without a vaccine we’re just firefighting.”

       Thanks to conservationists and volunteers the red squirrel population has managed to cling on to survival but to truly thrive it will take a lot more.

       Determined this rare gem in the UK’s rich wildlife tapestry lives to colour our landscape for the next generation, Craig says: “I’ve had sleepless nights worrying about when the government or someone will finally put their shoulder behind a vaccine – it’s been done for animals like the Asian elephant, so why not the Great British red squirrel?”

       “The vibrant breed has made it this far against all odds – but how long can it go on before the sun sets on this grey area of politics.”

       Find out more at redsquirrels.info or nationaltrust.org.uk