Meet Caldey Island’s new residents! Three red squirrels have recently moved onto the monastic isle as the holy island also becomes a wildlife haven.

“The squirrels were transported over by boat early one morning and are settling in very nicely in their hutch located in a private area of the abbey grounds,” said estate manager Ben Childs. “They are enjoying their diet of hazelnuts, carrots and water and are really thriving,” he continued.

“We will be releasing them into the wild in about a week to 10 days time, before bringing over another half-dozen in four or five weeks.”

Fallow deer will also be introduced soon, while partridges and other birds will be transported over after the season to join the existing horses, shetland ponies, sheep and cows.

“Everything on Caldey is just a trial until it becomes a success, but this is working very well at the moment,” added Ben.