Wild Tales | Nature Podcast

Operation Nutcracker | The Return of the Red Squirrel

Wild Tales | Nature Podcast

Show Notes

Red Squirrels were once a common sight in woodlands around the Uk but now, they’re one of our rarest Mammals. In this episode of Wild Tales, we head to Plas Newydd on the island of Ynys Môn in Wales, where a remarkable effort to bring them back is underway.

For the Welsh transcript of this episode please click here.

Red squirrel, Anglesey, Wales ©National Trust Images/Rob Coleman Production Narration: Rosie Holdsworth Producer: Nikki Ruck Sound Recordist: Marnie Woodmeade Sound Design: Jesus Gomez

With thanks to Carol Thomas at Plas Newydd Find out more

Visit the red squirrels at Plas Newydd: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/plas-newydd-house-and-garden/red-squirrels-at-plas-newydd

Learn more about Red Squirrel Conservation The Red Squirrels Trust Wales is working to protect red squirrel populations on Ynys Môn and across North Wales. If you would like to read more about some of the points raised in this episode, look here. https://www.redsquirrels.info/about/faq/

See red squirrels on Brownsea Island (Dorset): https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/brownsea-island/the-rare-red-squirrel-on-brownsea-island

Listen to our episode on pine martens (Wallington, Northumberland): https://ntpodcasts.org/WT25

Follow us on Instagram @wildtalesnt

If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story connected with the National Trust, you can contact us at [email protected]

More from Wild Tales | Nature Podcast

Oct 15, 2026

Beneath the trees at Hardcastle Crags, millions of tiny workers are busy building a city of their own. Follow Rosie Holdsworth down to the forest floor, as she meets the northern hairy wood ants and discovers busy motorways, high-rise homes, and even an onsite food production line. Production Host: Rosie Holdsworth Producer: Nikki Ruck Sound Recordist : Jesus Gomez Sound Design : Nikki Ruck

Oct 8, 2026

Join National Trust ranger Ajay Tegala in conversation with Zoe Hill, the National Trust’s first-ever Tree Nursery Officer. Zoe offers a fascinating insight into what it takes to grow climate-resilient trees for future generations, from caring for 50,000 young saplings to helping them thrive in an increasingly challenging climate. She also shares practical tips for growing and caring for trees in your own garden.

Oct 1, 2026

Bats are some of Britain’s most mysterious mammals. From caves and woodlands to parks and abandoned buildings, they’ve adapted to an astonishing range of habitats, and as night falls, you might spot them emerging from their roosts. National Trust ranger Rosie Holdsworth joins bat conservationist Steve Roe on a series of surveys across the Peak District, tracking these elusive creatures through winter and spring. Part of the National Bat Monitoring Programme, the surveys are helping to build a vital picture of how bat populations are faring across the UK. Often feared and misunderstood, bats are far more fascinating than their reputation suggests. Join us on a journey into their hidden world to discover the remarkable lives of Britain’s bats, and why monitoring and protecting them matters. Watch a video of this podcast on the National Trust’s YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZT4mlDD6j8U

Sep 17, 2026

Corvids, such as Crows, Rooks and Jackdaws are known for their high intelligence, problem solving abilities and complex social behaviour. But they’re also often associated with folklore, scary stories and horror movies.

Sep 10, 2026

Join National Trust ranger Ajay Tegala in another Wild Voices conversation with conservationist and content creator Emily Askew, and naturalist and wildlife advocate Ben Rumsby. Recorded live at the Global Bird Fair in Rutland, Emily and Ben explore how social media is reshaping the world of birding and inspiring a new generation to connect with nature. From balancing the demands of the algorithm with authentic storytelling to building welcoming online communities, they discuss the opportunities, challenges and responsibilities of sharing the natural world online. Watch a video of this podcast on the National Trust’s YouTube: https://youtu.be/1XeTSNw6dgs Production Host: Ajay Tegala Producer: Pippa Tilbury-Harris & Ajay Tegala Sound: Jesus Gomez Contributors: Emily Askew and Ben Rumsby Discover More You can follow Emily on Instagram here: @emilyinnature_ And Ben here: @brnature1 Follow us on Instagram @wildtalesnt

See all episodes →