LO2: Scripted Voice overs

EXT: BIRD SOUND 

NARRATOR: The mountainous range of Cairngorms in the eastern Highlands of Scotland boasts some of the countries most spectacular scenery, from the dramatic fog ridden valleys  to Loch Garden which come the summer months is alive with imposing ospreys nesting in the surrounding tree tops.

As expected,  this area of natural beauty is popular with locals and tourists alike and has over the years become a hive of some of the nations favoured wildlife. The forest of Abernethy spans across nearly 32,000 acres, a green expanse littered with towering pine trees which has become a popular destination for those eager to spot one of Scotlands most prolific residents.


There are 20,000 Red squirrels populating Scotland, this quite magnificently amounts to 75% of the British population of Red squirrels living right here on Scottish land. The average weight of one of these nifty mammals is 250g, making scaling the landscapes pines in search of food a simple task - They survive on a staple diet of pine seeds, acorns, Berries , Fungi and Sap tissue which in spring are in abundance meaning their weight can advance by up to 100g.


The red squirrel is renound for its stunning auburn colouring, this colour varies dependent on the season and come winter it is normal for them to begin displaying streaks of grey, that being said their underside remains cream throughout the year.


Squirrels tend to live in conifer or broadleaf woodland, they live in spherical nests known as dreys made of a sturdy frame of fallen twigs and lined carefully with moss and grass scavenged from the forest floor. They navigate the tree tops by leaping from branch to branch with an impressive reach of up to 10ft, being so high up, the squirrels share their habitat with a variety of species of bird making the forest an ideal location for a keen bird spotter.


The large tufted ears of a Red Squirrel make it easy to determine their surroundings, this paired with their nimble feet makes it easy to make a quick getaway should predators be nearby. Essentially the squirrel is a gentle animal, learning to live alongside other wildlife in the Forest of Abernethy and without them , there would be a hole in the Scottish landscape.