The Last Stand of the English Red Squirrel, and my Red Squirrel Quest.... (1 Viewer)

[DEREK.C.]

This cheeky chap came down right beside me for a drink as i was watching Crossbills in the Simonside Hills, Northumberland.
My local patch at Elemore Hall , County Durham was a great spot for Reds until 1995, suddenly they disappeared and six month later the first Grey was spotted.

 

[SveinB]

Hi people, it is really sad to read how Your red squirrels in UK are having a hard time, and decrease in numbers. I have spent my day out at my birdtable in the forest here today, and I had 7 red squirrels making a lot of life there. The forest would be empty if these small creatures dissappeared! I really hope You will find a solution, and keep red squirrels in good numbers in the future too.

I attach a photo taken today.

Best regards
Svein B

 

[[email protected]]

Hi Alan

Just got back from a trip to the lakes and there are still Reds around Tarn Howes and i didnt see any Greys there this time. Unfortunately they where the only ones i saw but i was around South Lakes mostly

 

[Alan Hobson]

Hi Derek and Svein,

Thanks for the photos - the Reds look very endearing in all three of them.

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the report - good to hear some more good news from the Lake District, after (as some previous posts show) bad news form there.

 

[rozinante]

Had my best ever views of a red squirrel yesterday at Paxman House in the Borders. At eye level and only 1 1/2 meters in front of the hide. It seemed to glow in the sun.

I was concerned that the other chap in the hide reported that he had seen 2 visits by a grey in the preceding 20 mins. Does this mean the likely end to reds at this site? I have read that once greys are known in the vicinity, feeding should stop as it encourages closer contact and therefore transmission of the virus.

 

[Martin Thomas]

The evidence is overwhelming that greys have displaced reds throughout the UK. Not only is the squirrel pox virus a problem but intimidation, ability to access foods earlier in the season and aggression have all been seen to play a part in the rapid decline of the native reds.

Feeders are sometimes used deliberately to lure greys so that they can be shot but as you point out there is a risk of infection. Traps are also used but they prove difficult to set to discriminate between reds and greys which can be dangerous for reds as they stress easily when captured, sometimes resulting in death.

Unfortunately, even feeding stations are proving unreliable in my local area at the moment, mostly due to the abundance of food following the wet summer. In turn, this means the squirrels aren't visiting our feeders and as we are currently attempting to find a solitary dispersing juvenile grey it's like looking for a needle in a haystack.

One thing is almost certain, if the greys aren't controlled at the location you were at then the reds will disappear. I sincerely hope the grey sightings have been reported by someone. Borders Squirrel Management Group via http://www.red-squirrels.org.uk/ would appear to be the local focal point.

Had my best ever views of a red squirrel yesterday at Paxman House in the Borders. At eye level and only 1 1/2 meters in front of the hide. It seemed to glow in the sun.

I was concerned that the other chap in the hide reported that he had seen 2 visits by a grey in the preceding 20 mins. Does this mean the likely end to reds at this site? I have read that once greys are known in the vicinity, feeding should stop as it encourages closer contact and therefore transmission of the virus.

 

[NickPatel92]

Had 3 Reds at Jockey shield in Cumbria 2 days ago. A wonderful sight to see them free and pox free. But for how long?

Nice to see someone has a few feeders set up for them there.

 

[Alan Hobson]

Hi Nick,

Thanks for the good news and the photos (although in one of them, the Red seems to have done a runner!). Which part of Cumbria is Jockey Shield?

 

[June Atkinson]

Ponteland, Northumberland

Hi Nick,

Thanks for the good news and the photos (although in one of them, the Red seems to have done a runner!). Which part of Cumbria is Jockey Shield?

Alan,
Here is the link to our local web site for the Protection of our Red Squirrels. We still have a good number and have just completed a week-end survey - numbers in due course, if they're posted

http://www.pontelandredsquirrels.co.uk/

 

[Martin Thomas]

Jockey Shield is about a mile east of Castle Carrock (NY 559558).

We're feeling pretty privileged at the moment with up to 5 reds feeding throughout the day in the garden here on the fringe of Greystoke Forest near Penrtih, Cumbria Also accompanied by a pair of bullfinch just to add a little icing on the cake!

(Apologies for the quality of the 4 squirrel photo but it was shot through the window).


Martin

Hi Nick,

Thanks for the good news and the photos (although in one of them, the Red seems to have done a runner!). Which part of Cumbria is Jockey Shield?

 

[Alan Hobson]

Hi Martin,

Thanks for yours. Good news that the Reds are still flourishing round your area. And excellent photo close-ups of the Reds - and the Bullfinch!


Hi June,

Thanks for the news, and glad that you are in an active local group. However, when I visited the website, I saw bad news about the spread of parapox in previously unaffected parts of Northumberland.


Hi All,

Mixed news of Reds recently. The Reds I have seen for the last two years in an isolated wood by Haweswater were nowhere to be seen this year. There was a recently set up shelter there - I hope the person who set it up hadn't had squirrel pie as part of the survival course!

The Golden eagle was showing very well, as ever, though!

Good news though from east Cumbria. In the area round Centre Parc, the Reds are thriving. My girlfriend went to stay there the other week and she saw loads. Given that Reds in nearby areas of Cunbria such as Brough vanished a full 15 years or so ago (which I know from a local), it is great they are hanging on so well round Centre Parc - with help.

 

[Farnboro John]

Hi Martin,

Thanks for yours. Good news that the Reds are still flourishing round your area. And excellent photo close-ups of the Reds - and the Bullfinch!


Hi June,

Thanks for the news, and glad that you are in an active local group. However, when I visited the website, I saw bad news about the spread of parapox in previously unaffected parts of Northumberland.


Hi All,

Mixed news of Reds recently. The Reds I have seen for the last two years in an isolated wood by Haweswater were nowhere to be seen this year. There was a recently set up shelter there - I hope the person who set it up hadn't had squirrel pie as part of the survival course!

The Golden eagle was showing very well, as ever, though!

Good news though from east Cumbria. In the area round Centre Parc, the Reds are thriving. My girlfriend went to stay there the other week and she saw loads. Given that Reds in nearby areas of Cunbria such as Brough vanished a full 15 years or so ago (which I know from a local), it is great they are hanging on so well round Centre Parc - with help.

Alan,

When I was up visiting the Golden Eagle this Easter, someone had a Red Squirrel in the group of pines at the bototm end of Riggindale (not the big plantation on the spur - the little group near the beck).

John

 

[Martin Thomas]

With the current influx and spread of greys, particularly from Scotland and the north east, recordings of any sightings in Cumbria would be appreciated.

The Save Our Squirrels Project sightings form can be found here.

Red squirrel sightings, particularly in remote areas are equally valuable via the SoS Squirrel Sightings Hotline: 0845 347 9375 or by e-mailing Simon O'Hare [email protected]

Thanks in advance for helping to protect what we have left!

 

[studh]

This was on BBC news site today.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/7423035.stm

 

[Martin Thomas]

I knew about this and have to say although it sounds a lot, 1000 traps over the area will be stretching it. The reason for trapping in these areas is that many landowners won't allow shooting. e.g. National Trust and when it comes to the Lake District that's a huge part of it!.

Local experience has shown that greys are reluctant with traps and there's no guarantee reds won't be caught. The reds can stress and die easily in traps so it's vital they are visited very regularly (there's also a legal requirement to do so with any trap) so although it's not an ideal method it's currently the best there is.

 

[Farnboro John]

I knew about this and have to say although it sounds a lot, 1000 traps over the area will be stretching it. The reason for trapping in these areas is that many landowners won't allow shooting. e.g. National Trust and when it comes to the Lake District that's a huge part of it!.

Local experience has shown that greys are reluctant with traps and there's no guarantee reds won't be caught. The reds can stress and die easily in traps so it's vital they are visited very regularly (there's also a legal requirement to do so with any trap) so although it's not an ideal method it's currently the best there is.

I find the attitude bizarre. Is everybody serious about saving these Reds or not? If they are, why is there a problem over just how the Greys are killed? Dead is dead.

John

 

[Martin Thomas]

I couldn't agree more John. Trapping is less humane than shooting as the animal ends up shot anyway after being stressed out for up to a few hours. As I mentioned, The National Trust are one of the 'refusniks' - no doubt worried about their cosy, stately home image.

The DEFRA funding for Save Our Squirrels was conditional that it wasn't spent on grey control so I think that shows how serious they are! Thankfully some additional funding has been secured to do some of this work but it's still woefully under resourced.

Setting up reserves for reds is great in principle (although I feel the small remnant populations are equally valuable) but unless the outsides are policed they're a waste of time and money.

In my part of Cumbria the only reason we aren't over-run by greys is because of the dilligence and determination of the local red squirrel groups and a handful of individuals who have made it their quest to hunt down the incomers (squirrels that is - not toursists).

The real problem is that it's all 25 years too late...

I find the attitude bizarre. Is everybody serious about saving these Reds or not? If they are, why is there a problem over just how the Greys are killed? Dead is dead.

John

 

[pianoman]

Just been to Killiney Hill near where I work in Dublin - last year there were no Reds left and there were several Greys. Last night, to my surprise, 2 Reds and no sign of the Greys. Don't quite know what that indicates, but it's a little heartening that it's not just a one-way trip.

 

[ColonelBlimp]

The National Trust not allowing shooting is truly bizarre. Does anyone know why this is? I have my theories, of course-for example, the Trust not wanting urban members who have grown up with the cute, endearing grey squirrel to suddenly be presented with the harsh reality.

 

[Alan Hobson]

Alan,

When I was up visiting the Golden Eagle this Easter, someone had a Red Squirrel in the group of pines at the bototm end of Riggindale (not the big plantation on the spur - the little group near the beck).

John

Hi John,

Thanks for that. I know the copse you mean. I have looked half-heartedly there before for Reds - I will have to look more thoroughly next time! Once saw a Spotted Flycatcher there - the only interesting creature I have ever seen in that copse.

Re the shooting points above, shooting Greys has certainly worked well in areas like the sole Red population left in Yorkshire (see one of my early posts).