Mark Rowley, who was visiting family in the town, was enjoying a walk through the Gildredge Park with his sons Alex and James when Alex spotted the unusual-looking animal.
Mark said his sons were ‘delighted’ to see and capture the squirrel as it scurried through the park.
Sussex Wildlife Trust said the charity often receives reports of white squirrels.
A spokesperson for the trust said: “White squirrels are likely albino or leucistic – forms of abnormal pigmentation. Individuals with albinism tend to have red eyes, and those with leucism don’t.”
However, as this particular squirrel’s eyes were closed, the charity was unable to identify which condition applied.
Wildlife sightings can be recorded with Sussex Wildlife Trust via the iRecord app or website: https://irecord.org.uk/.
Information uploaded here is shared with the Sussex Biodiversity Records Centre who the charity works with, and who hold species data for the county.
1. 'Beautiful' white squirrel spotted in Eastbourne park
The squirrel in Gildredge Park. Photo: Mark Rowley
2. 'Beautiful' white squirrel spotted in Eastbourne park
The squirrel in Gildredge Park. Photo: Mark Rowley
3. 'Beautiful' white squirrel spotted in Eastbourne park
Mark's sons Alex and James. Photo: Mark Rowley