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The Last Stand of the English Red Squirrel, and my Red Squirrel Quest.... (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Alan Hobson
- Start date
Alan Hobson
Well-known member
Here's another interesting post on Red squirrels in St Helens and in Wigan. It was sent to me via BF as an e-mail reply, but the writer, Nigel, is happy for me to put it on as a post:
I was very interested to read the post on red squirrels in Wigan. I believe these squirrels may have originated from Liverpool. A few years ago, the BBC programme 'Country File' featured an item on some red squirrels which had colonised the grounds of an inner city hospital at Fazakerley, Liverpool. These squirrels which were thought to have come from Formby, were living alongside the resident grey squirrels. Initially, five reds were thought to be the founding population, but the population had increased to 55 at the time of the programme. The various persons interviewed on the programme thought these particular red squirrels had acquired an immunity to the deadly para-pox virus, which might explain how they were co-existing with the greys. Anyway, they have since dispersed into other parks in Liverpool, and more recently (since 2001) they have been sighted in St Helens. This must be a unique occurence - though I have read of red and grey squirrels co-existing in pa! rts of Scotland and Fermanagh in Ireland . Look up the website of the St Helens Wildlife Recording Group this gives details of sightings and locations.
Yours sincerely
Nigel Joyce
I was very interested to read the post on red squirrels in Wigan. I believe these squirrels may have originated from Liverpool. A few years ago, the BBC programme 'Country File' featured an item on some red squirrels which had colonised the grounds of an inner city hospital at Fazakerley, Liverpool. These squirrels which were thought to have come from Formby, were living alongside the resident grey squirrels. Initially, five reds were thought to be the founding population, but the population had increased to 55 at the time of the programme. The various persons interviewed on the programme thought these particular red squirrels had acquired an immunity to the deadly para-pox virus, which might explain how they were co-existing with the greys. Anyway, they have since dispersed into other parks in Liverpool, and more recently (since 2001) they have been sighted in St Helens. This must be a unique occurence - though I have read of red and grey squirrels co-existing in pa! rts of Scotland and Fermanagh in Ireland . Look up the website of the St Helens Wildlife Recording Group this gives details of sightings and locations.
Yours sincerely
Nigel Joyce
Alan Hobson
Well-known member
MarkHows said:
Hi Mark,
See post 20 earlier in the thread for Norfolk. No wild Reds there except the reintroductions in Thetford Forest - and even they are very few in number. Since the post 20 discussion on this thread, I found out from the wildlife rangers there that there were only three sightings from Thetford for the whole of 2004 [and they were actually from the Suffolk side of the forest!].
Alan
screaming piha
Well-known member
Alan Hobson said:
Save yourself the trip: the Channel Islands are not in UK or the British Isles. A nice place to visit, all the same, I'm sure.
Alan Hobson
Well-known member
Another interesting insight from Nigel Joyce [see also post 142] on Reds making a bit of a comeback in some areas:
According to Stirling Council red squirrels are re-establishing themselves throughout the Stirling Council Area. They have re-colonised areas such as Killearn and Carron Valley Forest from the 1980's onwards, despite the presence of grey squirrels. It seems constant retreat is not always inevitable. However, as is often the case with the red squirrel, good news is countered by bad. Several parapox infected grey squirrels have recently been identified in the Scottish borders. These grey squirrels are thought to originate from Cumbria. The original grey squirrel stock in Scotland was introduced from Canada and did not carry the pox virus.
Nigel Joyce
According to Stirling Council red squirrels are re-establishing themselves throughout the Stirling Council Area. They have re-colonised areas such as Killearn and Carron Valley Forest from the 1980's onwards, despite the presence of grey squirrels. It seems constant retreat is not always inevitable. However, as is often the case with the red squirrel, good news is countered by bad. Several parapox infected grey squirrels have recently been identified in the Scottish borders. These grey squirrels are thought to originate from Cumbria. The original grey squirrel stock in Scotland was introduced from Canada and did not carry the pox virus.
Nigel Joyce
Alan Hobson
Well-known member
I thought it was about time I posted another update, as quite a few of you asked me to keep the thread informed of new developments.
Good and bad news from Cumbria. Good news first. When I went to Haweswater for my annual trip to see the magnificent Golden Eagle [it is still doing impressive display flights in the forlorn hope of attracting a mate] I went searching for Red Squirrels as well. I found a couple in a small wood near Haweswater, even though Greys have been reported just a few miles up the road. These Reds looked healthy and in splendid isloation, without a Grey anywhere around.
What I was also pleased about is that I saw them in a completely natural environment, rather than at a feeding station somewhere (fun though seeing them at feeding stations is, it feels more of an achievement seeing them at large, unaided, especially as they can be elusive!).
The bad news, however, is that there is a report that in parts of Cumbria where they were common until very recently, Reds are starting to disappear fast - even from some of the areas given by BF'ers earlier on this thread, as good places to see Reds, in 2004 and 2005.
Good and bad news from Cumbria. Good news first. When I went to Haweswater for my annual trip to see the magnificent Golden Eagle [it is still doing impressive display flights in the forlorn hope of attracting a mate] I went searching for Red Squirrels as well. I found a couple in a small wood near Haweswater, even though Greys have been reported just a few miles up the road. These Reds looked healthy and in splendid isloation, without a Grey anywhere around.
What I was also pleased about is that I saw them in a completely natural environment, rather than at a feeding station somewhere (fun though seeing them at feeding stations is, it feels more of an achievement seeing them at large, unaided, especially as they can be elusive!).
The bad news, however, is that there is a report that in parts of Cumbria where they were common until very recently, Reds are starting to disappear fast - even from some of the areas given by BF'ers earlier on this thread, as good places to see Reds, in 2004 and 2005.
mothman
Well-known member
Has anyone seen Sept BBC Wildlife magazine because there is a contriversial article in it about the spread of greys (I wont go into it now as I do not have the copy with me and would not do it justice) but it is a compelling veiwpoint saying that we should just let greys have their way.
mothman said:
I read it last night and his arguement of creating Island sanctuarys, leaving the mainland population to either die out or recover on it's own was very compelling. I don't believe we are in a position to eradicate or even control the grey in sufficient quantities for it to be worth it.
Tim Hall
Worcestershire County Cricket in Exile
Several earlier posts have referred to Lake District sites. I used to see Reds (mid 1990s) on a caravan site just north of Torver (Little Arrow), and also at Friars Crag on Derwentwater last time I was there (1999ish), but that was early morning, before the daytrippers......
Alan Hobson
Well-known member
Tim Hall said:
Thanks Tim. I'm intending visiting Derwentwater at some point, so I'll have a look there.
Any recent Cumbria reports will be welcomed - do post them on here.
Good news from Scottish Highlands. On my recent trip up there, as my BF thread "Captivated by the Cairngorms and Seduced by the Shetland Isles" mentions, I saw several Reds in the Rothiemurcus and Glenmore Forest areas without having to try hard at all. They are still doing very well there, as my own sightings and sightings by many others up there help to indicate.
Stewart J.
Well-known member
Link to an article published in our local paper about the feeding station at Keilder Castle :- The Hexham Courant
Stewart
Stewart
Martin Thomas
Retired student
You'll be lucky to see reds at Derwentwater but it's not impossible. Haven't heard of them at Friars for some time.
Reds are probably easiets to see at Centerparcs near Penrith and in the forest here at Greystoke (north of Penrith). The (closed) osprey viewing point at Whinlatter overlooking Bassenthwaite might be a possibility. If you'd like more details of where to see them send me a PM please.
There are a number of less common places which would require some patience but I'm pleased to say they're hanging on at the moment thanks to the efforts of locals who are shooting the advancing greys.
Martin
Reds are probably easiets to see at Centerparcs near Penrith and in the forest here at Greystoke (north of Penrith). The (closed) osprey viewing point at Whinlatter overlooking Bassenthwaite might be a possibility. If you'd like more details of where to see them send me a PM please.
There are a number of less common places which would require some patience but I'm pleased to say they're hanging on at the moment thanks to the efforts of locals who are shooting the advancing greys.
Martin
Alan Hobson said:
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Martin Thomas
Retired student
Farnboro John
Well-known member
Martin Thomas said:
Lowther Holiday park just south of Penrith is very good for reds.
The Osprey watchpoint is top class all the time as the RSPB put down seed and nuts year round. I have been in all seasons and had several squirrels every time.
John
harry eales
Ancient Entomologist
Stewart J. said:
Whilst the Wark and Kielder Forests are still 'Red' strongholds, 'Greys' are being seen in the area. I've seen them in the vicinity of Kielder Water since 1997. Only in small numbers, but they're present never the less.
Harry
dampflippers
Well-known member
At Kielder there is a red squirrel hide at the Leaplish visitor centres. During the Springwatch weekend we went on a red squirrel walk there. Of course we didn't see any with all the people there, but saw lots of the signs. One thing I hadn't known about was looking for the shoot tips under the conifers where they drop them after eating the tastiest bit.
They also have some at Hawkhirst, the Scout activity centre there. We camped there and I think I glimpsed one in one of the wooden shelters, and we also found some signs under trees, but didn't see any others.
They also have some at Hawkhirst, the Scout activity centre there. We camped there and I think I glimpsed one in one of the wooden shelters, and we also found some signs under trees, but didn't see any others.
Reds and greys in Cumbria
I stand a reasonably good chance of seeing reds every time I go out here as I spend lots of time in different woods all over Cumbria.
I'm increasingly seeing greys too though, and saw one in the Thirlmere valley (a designated red squirrel reserve) for the first time yesterday, in the grounds of the Lakeside Hotel.
I stand a reasonably good chance of seeing reds every time I go out here as I spend lots of time in different woods all over Cumbria.
I'm increasingly seeing greys too though, and saw one in the Thirlmere valley (a designated red squirrel reserve) for the first time yesterday, in the grounds of the Lakeside Hotel.
