The Black Squirrels of Letchworth

The photographs on the left are of both Black and Grey Squirrels, and the video clip below of a Black Squirrel were all taken in Howard Park

The first black  squirrel reported in Letchworth was on Norton Common in 1944.  Letchworth  is now home to one of the UK's largest colonies of "black squirrels",  They look smaller than greys, are as long, but less stocky, and with a skinny tail. The ones I have seen appear more nervous than greys, quicker to run away and climb trees.

Genetically they are melanic (dark pigmented) grey squirrels and can inter breed with greys. They seem identical to squirrels photographed in North Eastern America.

 Melanic grey squirrels were introduced to Woburn Park (Bedfordshire) from the U.S. at the end of the 19th Century, and they have been imported since.

 Woburn Park still has a colony of them, and the Letchworth colony could be descended from Woburn squirrels.  Stotfold, Hitchin and Stevenage have recently reported sightings of black squirrels.  Letchworth has one of the largest colonies in the United Kingdom.

 Heather Cotton 24/3/8

The video clip below is of a Black Squirrel in Howard Park and was taken in March 2008 by Heather

  All photographs and  the video on this page are © Heather Cotton

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