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News Update - MARCH 2008
EDITORIAL
CALLOSCIURUS PREVOSTI
The Prevost or tricoloured squirrel hails from South East Asia but this one lives in a garden in Leeds (Metro).
Their weight at about 460 grams falls between the red and the grey. They eat eggs, seeds, nuts, fruit,
flowers and insects. Three litters a year, three to four per litter. Sounds familiar. Lets hope this one is celibate.
Defra has been informed.
Google Prevost Squirrel
BETTER NEWS
Charities raising money for worthy causes are often accused of concentrating on bad news and ignoring good.
Rupert Redesdale (Northumberland) and Jerry Moss (Cumbria) both report red squirrels returning to areas
cleared of greys. In Scotland and Ireland, reds have been reported back in woods formerly occupied by greys
and on Anglesey the red revival is well under way. These small signs of spring in the long grey winter show
that reds are perfectly capable of retaking ground if they are helped. We need to help them more.
CUMBRIA
This winter we have received reports of red sightings in most areas. In two areas with control, 174 greys have
been despatched in one year and there are now reports of reds again. Elsewhere, a controller caught 25 greys earlier and has now seen reds but no greys. It works! We have reports of confirmed cases of squirrel pox in
a few areas. At Whinfell, there is a good population of reds and no more squirrel pox outbreaks. In late
November a captured red was thought to have squirrel pox, but a blood test proved negative and the animal has been released back into the wild.
Jerry Moss, WhinfellForest
ULLSWATER
This red squirrel was photographed swimming in the middle of Ullswater late last year.
Tourists aboard a pleasure boat dropped a line and the squirrel scrambled onboard and rode back to shore.
Photographs: BBC News Cumbria
ANGLESEY
The programme to make Anglesey a red-only island progresses well with the number of greys remaining in the
wild now well below 100.
The following table indicating overwhelming public support for red squirrel conservation appeared in the Autumn
2007 newsletter of the Friends of the Anglesey Red Squirrels.
Yes % No % Don’t Know
Do you support Red Squirrel ccnservation on Anglesey? 96 4 -
Do you support grey squirrel control on Anglesey? 83 12 5
Do you support the re-introduction of red squirrels to
Newborough Forest? 92 8 -
Do you think that woodland management should take the
needs of red squirrels into account? 98 2 -
Do you think the Welsh Assembly should make money available
for a cull of grey squirrels across Wales? 96 4 -
Craig Shuttleworth
SCOTLAND
In December 2007 ESI met Michael Russell, MSP Minister of the Environment in the Scottish government.
The meeting was requested by ESI in order to brief the Minister on the work ESI is doing and to clarify what
action the Scottish government is taking to secure and enhance the future of the red squirrel. SNH and the
Forestry Commission of Scotland were also represented at the meeting. ESI was very much encouraged by the
approach the minister was taking toward preservation of red squirrels through the control of grey squirrels.
Andrew Kendall
RED SQUIRRELS IN SOUTH SCOTLAND
The Red Squirrels in South Scotland project, now in its seventh year, is hoping to begin Phase IV in April.
Phase IV will consolidate past successes and begin new work in areas outside the scope of earlier phases. Our
main priority will be to create a buffer between grey squirrels moving north from England and those occupying
the Central Belt and cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. Grey squirrels in these areas are as yet free of the Squirrelpox virus.
If the “clean” greys come into contact with “dirty” greys migrating north from England the red squirrels of
south Scotland will be sandwiched between two potential sources of infection and red squirrels in the highlands
will be under threat. The south of Scotland is very much the front line in the war to keep red squirrels in Scotland.
Our emphasis in the past has been on conserving red squirrels for future generations, and indeed remains so.
However to optimise the uptake of our goal we are increasingly highlighting the economic and environmental
aspects of grey squirrel spread – namely the damage to our forests and woodlands and the threat posed to other indigenous species.
Grey squirrels are notorious for the damage they do to trees. Oak, Norway Spruce, Larch, Pine, Sycamore and
Beech are the species most vulnerable to damage. The annual cost of timber damage through bark stripping is in the millions of pounds.
In light of the growing demand for sustainable building materials such as Norway Spruce and Larch and recent
proposals and support for Scotland’s forestry to increase its land coverage to 25% by the middle of this century, intensive and ongoing control of grey squirrels to prevent economic depredation of our forest
resources is vital. We intend to utilise the soon to be implemented Scottish Rural Development Program and the funding it offers as a tool to minimise this threat.
The south of Scotland is home to approximately one quarter of the Scottish red squirrel population (30,000 –
40,000) and is an optimal area in which to view these animals. The ease of access to viewing locations and the
high volume of tourism keeps the south of Scotland and red squirrels at the top of most nature tourists “must
see” list. In the economically deprived south, tourism is an important economic factor and one that will suffer should red squirrels be lost.
Many species of woodland and song birds are on the decline. The finger is starting to point at the grey squirrel
as the culprit. It is well established that squirrels of both species eat eggs however the sheer numbers of grey
squirrels in the UK’s towns and countryside makes the raiding of nests ecologically unsustainable. The perfect
nesting habitats, our gardens, hedgerows and broadleaf woodlands have become the hunting grounds of the grey squirrel. Left unchecked we face losing many native and migratory birds.
An alien organism in an ecosystem is the equivalent of putting the wrong part in a vehicle’s engine; it
may appear to work for a while but eventually something has to give and the damage can be irreparable.
Richard Wales (Red Squirrel Conservation Officer (Scottish Borders)
NATURAL ENGLAND
The decision by Natural England to grant licences to re-release grey squirrels into the wild continues to cause
consternation. In spite of repeated requests to Natural England, under the Freedom of Information Act, the information supplied continues to be somewhat sketchy and contradictory.
Thanks to robust questioning in the House of Lords, the House of Commons and the European Parliament, more
light is being shed on Natural England’s activities.
While the Freedom of Information Act has helped ESI to delve further into this matter, it also provides
certain protection to Natural England as to the kind of information they can reveal. The Act is both a shield and a sword.
In the Lords, questions have been led by Lady Saltoun of Abernethy who requested the names of the
individuals and organisations to whom the licences have been granted and to the locations of the releases. While details of the licensees is now known, the locations of the released have not been revealed.
A further oral question by Lord Rotherwick asked what impact studies are carried out prior to licences being
given for the release of grey squirrels into the wild.
In the House of Commons, David Maclean MP has tabled an Early Day Motion condemning Natural England,
which has generated considerable support across all parties.
Within Europe, John Bowis MEP wrote to Joan Ruddock, MP Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the
Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on the issue.
Recent correspondence from Natural England highlights certain discrepancies in the number of licences being
granted and the number of grey squirrels being released. Latest information shows that for the nine month
period between March 2007 and January 2008, licences for the release of 310 squirrels had been granted. This figure is up on previous information provided to ESI.
Natural England’s approach to the release of grey squirrels sets a dangerous precedent and seriously
compromises their role as the organisation in charge of England’s bio diversity.
ESI will continue to question Natural England directly through government ministers and challenge their
actions (which do nothing to protect our endangered red squirrel) to deal with the problem of an expanding grey squirrel population.
Andrew Kendall
BRUSSELS
ESI organised a seminar in Brussels on November 21st 2007 with the overall aim of raising awareness in the
European Commission, of the issues around invasive species, with particular reference to immunocontraception
(IC) as a potential means of control. It was envisaged that the seminar might assist DG Research in preparing a call for funding for work on this topic.
There were 16 participants including scientists, officials and ESI members and the meeting was chaired overall
by Sir Patrick Bateson FRS, with Avril Doyle MEP and Dr Martin Sharman (DG Research) as session chairs.
The meeting discussed the wider issues relating to invasive alien species. Dr Lenka Karova (DG Environment)
reviewed EU biodiversity policy and updated us on possible funding mechanisms for IC research. Dr Peter Robertson (Central Science Laboratory, York) discussed their work on various species including wild boar,
coypu, mink, ruddy duck and rose-ringed parakeet. Prof. Andy Peters (consultant to ESI) described current
research around the world on IC and the potential opportunities for using this technique for grey squirrel control. A research consortium based at the University of Nottingham is urgently seeking funding for a
programme to develop and oral IC method.
Dr Giovanna Massei described some of the IC work going on at CSL York. A long acting injectable GnRH
vaccine Gonacon™ was being evaluated in wild boar. Also preliminary work in the grey squirrel, with Forest
Research UK, using diazacon (Ornitrol™), an anti-fertility drug used to sterilise birds in the USA, was
described. This has shown some positive responses, but would pose the problem of continuous feeding over long periods of time, in order to be effective.
Dr Colin Lawton, University of Galway, described his research in the field of mammalian ecology, including both
red and grey squirrel. He emphasised the need to understand the limitations of any control programme and that
IC was not an answer in itself but could form part of an integrated programme. Sir Patrick Bateson discussed
the ethical and welfare implications of IC, particularly in relation to likely public acceptance of a control
programme based on IC. The concept of ‘proportionality’ was raised, i.e. that society might accept a degree
of animal suffering if there was a perceived benefit overall. It was also pointed out that over recent years
society had become more aware of welfare and ethical issues and was generally less tolerant of human interventions.
Rick Clayton (International Federation of Animal Health, Europe) described the legal processes related to
registration of such products. Using the procedures relating to veterinary products as a baseline he discussed
the challenges of product quality, safety and efficacy presented by the application of an IC product in wildlife.
Other questions included, who would own the product, who would invest in such a product and who would the
customer be? Several technical issues were discussed including palatability of a bait, dosing, in-use stability
etc. It was also suggested that experience with the successful baited fox rabies vaccine could be very useful in helping development of IC products for wildlife.
Andrew Kendall talked about the necessity for open and honest communication with the public and the need to
manage expectations so that such a programme does not fall into disrepute. Dr Sandro Bertolino, University of
Turin, talked about socio-economic impact of pest species and their control. He used the example of Caulerpa taxifolia a killer alga which infested the Mediterranean. The essential message was that it may seem very
expensive to eradicate such species, but the costs of doing nothing were potentially much higher. He also
discussed the importance of a sound legal basis for any programme as legal challenge had resulted in the failure of an eradication programme for the grey squirrel in Italy.
The conclusions of the meeting were that:
- More research and development is needed to provide an effective solution.
- A holistic approach is needed of which IC could play a major part.
- Various technical hurdles still exist, e.g. species specificity, possible adaptation of animals to the treatment.
- Should the goal be control or eradication?
- A public awareness campaign and effective communications strategy would be crucial.
- Although there had been formal recommendation to the Commission regarding research in this area, it
was unlikely that such a call would come before the end of 2009. Therefore it was proposed that lobbying should continue in order to expedite a call.
A R Peters
RED SQUIRREL PROTECTION PARTNERSHIP
Daily Telegraph article by Brian Unwin - 14 February 2008
“New attempt to halt spread of grey squirrels”
A new attempt is being made to save Britain’s native red squirrel from the relentless advance of the
introduced grey squirrel.
- Rare red squirrels halt project to build houses
- MP calls for support on red squirrel ‘front line’
- Pine martens ’key’ to red squirrel defence
The battleground is Northumberland which holds some of England’s dwindling number of red strongholds.
Thousands of greys have been trapped and humanely killed but there were fears they would quickly be
replaced by expanding numbers to the south in CountyDurham. Now the Government-funded Red Squirrel Protection Partnership (RSPP) team has crossed the Tyne and Derwent rivers that separate the counties to
take the war to grey populations who have been smart enough in the past to use bridges to cross the rivers.
“It was obvious gaps created by clearing woods in south Northumberland could be quickly filled from the south
so the team is now operating in north-west Durham to prevent this”, said Lord Redesdale, the RSPP co-founder and chairman.
“This is a military-style operation, focusing on one wood at a time then after that is cleared the team moves
to the next target. We aim to push as far south as possible — ideally to at least the Yorkshire-Durham border, although that will depend on future funding.”
More than 13,000 greys have been killed in 13 months, a quarter of them in south Northumberland’s Slaley
Forest/Dipton Woods area — key staging points in the grey’s spread towards the red bastion in Kielder Forest further north.
RSPP aims to halt the spread of grey squirrels
They were equally anxious to stop greys — which carry the squirrel pox which is fatal to reds — becoming any
more established in built-up Tyneside — a potential source of future invasions into red territory. This led to 38 being trapped in Jesmond Dene not far from Newcastle city centre.
They also tackled a growing grey population in Gateshead’s Dunston area. In just one house garden, where the
non-native squirrels had been attracted by food intended for birds, the team trapped 48 in 14 days.
“We can be reasonably sure an area has been cleared if no more are seen or none turn up in our traps”,
added Lord Redesdale. “An even stronger sign is if red squirrels re-appear—and there are 20 places in Northumberland where reds have moved back, which is very encouraging.”
RSPP chief trapper Paul Parker said the team — usually nor more than three or four strong — was getting rid of
about 100 greys per day in County Durham currently.
“We have great support from landowners, game-keepers and volunteers. If we contact a landowner and
point out there are grey squirrels in their woods and offer to deal with them, we are always made welcome.
Very occasionally people are unhappy about greys being killed — until we point out the problems since they
were brought from America and released during the 19th century before anyone appreciated the potential harm.
As well as driving out native red squirrels to near extinction by passing on the pox virus, they damage trees
by stripping bark and have reduced woodland bird populations by eating eggs and young in nests”.
Mr Parker has perfected a trap that catches greys efficiently and humanely and he aims to respond to every
report of a capture within an hour. A shot to the head concludes the exercise.
The operation’s success is down to his tactics and countryman skills. Traps are positioned after he checks an
area to work out the main routes taken by most greys as they move through the woodland.
“Defeatists said we were wasting our time but the results show we are making a real impact. If we were
given sufficient funding, I believe we could clear the whole of England of greys. This is what needs to be done
if we seriously want to save Britain’s remaining red squirrels and restore populations to regions where they used to be before greys spread into them.”
Lord Redesdale gained £150,000 for RSPP’s work through a rural enterprise scheme run by Defra but it only
lasts for three years. The organisation hopes to show the money is being well spent and that with more financial support the threat greys pose to reds could be diminished more permanently.
Meanwhile from March the campaign will be reinforced with a Grey Squirrel Control Officer, Jamie Stewart,
starting with a different body, Newcastle-based Save Our Squirrels (SOS).
SOS’s main priority is to maintain 5km grey-free zones around red squirrel populations surviving in 16 nature
reserves in Northumberland, Cumbria, West Merseyside and North Yorkshire.
THE BERN CONVENTION
In November, ESI visited Switzerland with the aim of briefing government officials and others on the danger of
invasion by grey squirrels from Italy. One meeting was held with senior officials at the Department of
the Environment in Bern. As a result of this meeting, Swiss representatives attended the Standing Committee
of the Bern Convention held in December in Strasbourg. Persuaded by the Swiss delegation, the Standing
Committee adopted further recommendations directed towards Italy. The recommendation urged the Lombardy region and other competent authorities to “start without further delay the eradication programme
of grey squirrels in the Ticino valley so as to significantly delay the invasion of the southern Alps”. The parties were also asked to “ban the trade and possession of the grey squirrel and strictly control new
possible introductions”. Switzerland’s representative deplored the lack of progress in this matter and
demanded that the Convention take stronger measures in addition to the recommendation. Consequently, the
Secretariat of the Convention has been asked to see if Italy is in violation of the Convention. The committee
is also proposing that the Secretary General visit Lombardy to discuss grey squirrel eradication with both national and regional authorities. Switzerland would be represented at such a meeting.
These moves increase the pressure on the Italian authorities to implement the decision to eradicate grey squirrels in the Ticino valley.
SWISS TELEVISION
In Zurich, ESI met Andreas Moser a respected wildlife producer and journalist for Swiss Television who was
very well informed and keen to produce a documentary on grey squirrels covering the damage they cause in
Britain and Italy, and the threat they pose to Switzerland. As Swiss television broadcasts in three languages,
there is the possibility that his squirrel documentary may be shown also in Germany, France and Italy.
ITALY
The Turin based daily Corriere della Seraran a full page article under the heading - Grey Squirrel stronger:
the red may become extinct on its Science and Technology page on January 26. It is encouraging to see the
gradually increasing coverage of the squirrel issue on the pages of Northern Italy’s newspapers and magazines.
Filippo Gautier
SQUIRREL POX VACCINE APPEAL
The Wildlife Ark Trust has raised £255,000 to fund the first two years of a programme to develop a vaccine to
protect red squirrels from squirrelpox virus. The money was raised through public appeal and from charitable
trusts. The work will be undertaken by Moredun Research Institute near Edinburgh.
Don Askew
BIRDS
The impact of grey squirrels on woodland bird populations.
Following last year’s successful pilot study for a survey to quantify the impact of grey squirrels on the
populations of woodland birds, the Game Conservancy Trust plans to study 7 pairs of woods this season and a similar number in 2009. Thanks to our generous supporters, the 2008 season is now fully funded.
Miles Barne
Photographer : Terry Andrewartha - Nature Picture Library
Freshwater Non-Native Species Management Initiative
Norfolk and Cumbria are currently the subject of pilot studies for a Freshwater Non-native Species
Management Initiative, which are being developed by Natural England as part of the GB Non-Native Species
Strategy (DEFRA, Scottish Executive, Welsh Assembly). There have been two workshops for the Norfolk pilot
study held on 26 November 2007 and 1 February 2008. The workshops were assisted by a report from Atkins
Ltd with some input from the UK Technical Advisory Group on the Water Framework Directive Alien Species Group. Species are categorised into those with high, low and unknown impacts, and in Norfolk the first
category is considered to include (among others) Signal Crayfish, Zebra Mussel, Australian Swamp Stonecrop,
Parrot’s Feather, Giant Hogweed and Himalayan Balsam. Additional concern was expressed in relation to American Mink, Chinese Water Deer, Muntjac and species of feral geese.
The workshops were chaired by Professor Tim O’Riordan and well supported by the County Council and other
local authorities, CLA, NFU, RSPB and others. The RSPB representative spoke of his organisation’s ‘zero
tolerance’ of mink, swamp stonecrop, balsam and giant hogweed, and confirmed that the RSPB gives access to
DEFRA’s Ruddy Duck control teams, (currently targeting winter gatherings of over 35 birds). In Norfolk, there is
already a Mid-Norfolk Mink Control programme under the Biodiversity Action Plan for the Water Vole, which has
been trapping successfully since 2003. The next step will be to seek funding for a Coordinator, and one member spoke of ‘eventual eradication of these species from the county completely’.
While the freshwater strategy does not extend to the Grey Squirrel, it is an interesting indication of
how opinion, and policy, are changing, and very much deserves the support of ESI members.
Michael Sayer
HAPPY EASTER
The next issue will be in July 2008
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