Red squirrel conservation in the UK

The conservation of red squirrels on the island of Anglesey is just one of a number of similar regional programmes that aim to conserve this threatened species. Grey squirrel control and careful habitat management form the backbone of many of these conservation projects.

Two of these projects have very kindly produced a summary of their work, and their respective web-pages can also be viewed through the links below.

Red Squirrels in South Scotland

Leaf Launched in August 2000 and managed by the Southern Uplands Partnership, the Red Squirrels in South Scotland project covers the Borders and Dumfries & Galloway regions, and works in parallel to similar initiatives in the north of England. By presenting a united front covering south Scotland from coast to coast, the Red Squirrels in South Scotland project has established a greater understanding of red squirrel population distribution through extensive monitoring, it has promoted and encouraged appropriate habitat management, and put in place measures to halt or reduce the invasion of grey squirrels into red squirrel strongholds. These goals have been achieved by working closely with the public, landowners, foresters, estate managers and local conservation bodies.

One of the biggest achievements of the project over the last 3 years has been the identification of 25 woodlands, which have real potential for red squirrel conservation in the long-term. It is now considered vital that the experience gained to date is applied to ensure that these 'Priority Woodlands' are managed to maximise their medium/long term suitability for reds and that measures are put in place to prevent the incursion of the grey squirrel into these areas.

Funding is now being sourced for a further two year period during which we hope to create detailed guidance documents for each of the Priority Woodlands setting out ideal management objectives. We also hope to involve the local community (where possible) in active red squirrel conservation through the provision of interactive presentations, slideshows, training days, outdoor events and classroom based activities. Teachers will be provided with a 'nut case' full of activities, support materials and a 'virtual red squirrel walk' video.

The project also aims to identify, develop and promote sites for nature-based tourism, through the provision of interpretation, viewing stations and information leaflets for visitors to South Scotland. Local accommodation businesses will be given the opportunity to become involved in a number of ways with the aim of enhancing local businesses, raising the quality of a visitors' experience of the area and also raising general awareness.

For further information on the Red Squirrels in South Scotland project please visit the project website on www.red-squirrels.org.uk

Since the introduction of the grey squirrel over 100 years ago, the range of red squirrels in Britain has contracted to such an extent that without action, red squirrels will almost certainly become extinct from mainland England in the next 20 to 30 years. Large populations now only remain on natural islands such as the Isle of Wight, and in the vast conifer plantations of Cumbria and Northumberland, although small and isolated populations still remain elsewhere in England. Northumberland is the key stronghold for red squirrels in England.

Red Alert North East (RANE) was established in 1992, in response to the threat of extinction of red squirrels in Great Britain. It is a partnership of landowners, conservation organisations, local businesses, Newcastle University and the public, all working to conserve the red squirrel. We are attempting to achieve this by using a combination of research into squirrel ecology, population modelling, appropriate forest management and public education.

The conservation strategy for red squirrels has two main objectives; woodland management in a way that will ensure the habitat remains suitable for red squirrels, and grey control in order to minimise both contact and competition with the reds.

A number of large conifer plantations in Northumberland have been identified as potential red squirrel reserves, which will provide the best chance for red squirrel conservation. A range of factors were considered when identifying these woodlands, including size, species composition, age, landowner support, isolation and defend-ability from grey squirrel incursion. Each woodland has a buffer zone surrounding it, which we try to ensure is actively managed to keep grey squirrel numbers absent or low.

The first Red Squirrel Conservation Officer for the north east was employed in 1999. The Red Squirrel Conservation Officer works to implement the conservation strategy, to encourage 'red squirrel friendly' management of the potential red squirrel reserves, and ensuring the buffer zones remain 'grey unfriendly'. This is achieved through providing advice on proposed tree planting, and undertaking grey control in and around the reserves. An additional benefit of the grey control is that it allows further research into the parapox virus, which can have severe implications for red squirrel populations.

The Red Squirrel Conservation Officer also monitors squirrel populations, provides information to the public on subjects such as supplementary feeding and provision of road warning signs, and helps to raise awareness of the endangered status of the red squirrel.

The Red Squirrel Conservation Officer is now based at the Northumberland Wildlife Trust:

Garden House, St Nicholas Park, Jubilee Road, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3XT.

Email: louise.bessant@northwt.org This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

More information about RANE, red squirrels, and selection of the potential red squirrel reserves can be found at: