The species has spread rapidly and is now common across the UK, with the exception of north and western Scotland and some islands. A recent study finds that European pine martens are helping conservation of the declining Eurasian red squirrel in Scotland by reducing the numbers of invasive eastern gray squirrels. The eastern grey squirrel is a North American species that The grey squirrel was first introduced to this country from the USA in 1876. Don’t get me wrong, I rather like to see grey squirrels occasionally. The only successful local eradication happened in Anglesey in Wales, where 9,597 grey squirrels were killed at a cost of £1,019,000 – that’s £106.18 per squirrel, and it took 16 years. Declining grey squirrel numbers – Simple analysis of trapping results has shown an overall decline in grey squirrel numbers across the region (to almost zero in places). ways people can help the project is by reporting red and grey squirrel sightings. As the only squirrel species native to the UK, red squirrels a home here. controversial – subject to discuss. to the long-term protection of Scotland’s red squirrels, the project is now Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. With an abundance of food and fewer competitors to contend with, they an event. The Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels project will … Grey squirrels are renowned for their agility, adept climbing and cunning – they can crack open birdfeeders and run along tight-rope washing lines to get at their nutty prize. But It has a characteristically bushy tail. Action’. country. Visit our website at; www.invasivespecies.scot or Email us at; sisi@nature.scot, Guest Blog – Gill Hatcher, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrel Project, May 2019. Before we can even begin to explain the term ‘invasive species’, we often Some grey They have displaced the red squirrel throughout most of England and Wales and in south-east and central Scotland. Hence control eff ort was reactive and did not take place in the same locations across time. Home to 75% of the remaining UK Here is a full list of the red squirrel strongholds, which are the best places in Scotland to see red squirrels. ( Log Out /  Perhaps none more so than the grey squirrel. England and Wales, absent from much of Scotland. Highlands of Scotland are currently free of grey squirrels; grey squirrels are long established in central Scotland (with introductions between 1892–1919) and had spread throughout much of the Central Lowlands by the 1980s; grey squirrels have spread into South Scotland from both the north and from northern England in recent years 1: Eskdalemuir. The grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is native to North America and was first released into the UK in 1876 by the Victorians. quickly settled in their new surroundings and began to spread across the In Scotland, 120,000 red squirrels remain, around 75 per cent of the total UK population. Grey squirrels are responsible for the decline in native red squirrel … Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is a partnership project between the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland, and the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association which will work across the region to protect red squirrels through habitat improvement and grey squirrel control. Grey squirrels need a very small breeding population to be successful. Change ). It’s not clear why they were introduced and the Victorians had no idea of the risks of introducing non-native species. In many of these places grey squirrels have been present for It is easily distinguished from the Red Squirrel by its larger size, grey fur, and smaller ears without tufts. Since their introduction into Britain in the 1870s, grey squirrels have spread rapidly. is equally one of the most familiar examples of an invasive species in positive impact on core red squirrel populations. You can report a sighting and find out more about volunteering with Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels at scottishsquirrels.org.uk, Photograph credits; Grey squirrel -Bob Coyle, Red squirrel & community action – Jo Foo. “Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is a partnership project, led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, to protect Scotland’s red squirrels from replacement by the introduced American grey squirrel. Use these quick links to find what you want faster... One of our most familiar mammals, the grey squirrel can be found in woods, gardens and parks, often proving to be very tame. Scotland where red squirrels are thriving. Grey squirrels, however, seem to be able to get along quite nicely in a population of fewer than 10 individuals. January – December. While raising awareness of the threat from invasive grey ( Log Out /  ( Log Out /  Edinburgh In South Scotland grey squirrel control by SSRS control offi cers was initially carried out in the area buff ering known squirrelpox seropositive cases. Scotland, and the most clouded in confusion, misinformation and emotion. squirrels, it’s also important to emphasise that there are still many places in We have been championing the incredible diversity of Scotland’s wildlife for over 50 years; from lichens, wood ants and butterflies, to golden eagles, basking sharks and beavers. You may also find pine cones that have been nibbled, leaving what looks like an apple core behind. When to see. The sightings map contributes to our understanding of squirrel distribution The statistics, published by Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, also indicate a continuing decline in grey squirrel territory in the north-east. With the SAVING SCOTLAND’S RED SQUIRRELS Harbourside House 110 Commercial Street Edinburgh EH6 6NF 0131 312 7765 squirrels@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk ( Log Out /  surprising that many don’t realise that grey squirrels are not native, that red The red squirrel has already disappeared from a large part of its former Scottish range in central and south-eastern Scotland. Grey squirrels (Scirius caroliniensis) are native to North America and were first released in the UK in 1876 in Henbury Park, Cheshire. They mostly live in broadleaf woodlands containing oak, beech, sweet chestnut and hazel but will also be found in a wide range of habitats such as parks, gardens and urban areas where there are suitable trees. Grey squirrels are a familiar sight for many people across large parts of the UK and are often seen in parks and gardens, whilst the range of our native red squirrels is now limited to certain areas of the UK, such as Anglesey, parts of northern England and Scotland. squirrels also carry squirrelpox, a virus that doesn’t harm them but is deadly Take a closer look at Scotland’s wildlife, Visit our wildlife reserves and visitor centres. cities and towns, they are often one of the few wild mammals people come into Grey squirrel The eastern grey squirrel is a North American species that was first brought to Britain … Red squirrels are under threat, but they • Red squirrel populations are declining for two reasons: ecological displacement by grey squirrels, which may take many years, and squirrel poxvirus (SQPV). 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