Red Squirrels - Here Today, Gone Tomorrow?

The information contained in this Press Release may no longer be valid. The information is maintained on this website for reference purposes only.

The red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is considered native to Ireland although it is thought to have become extinct by the early eighteenth century, mainly due to fragmentation of the remaining broadleaved woodland habitat - woodland cover in this period had dwindled from 80% of the land to below 2% of the land area. Present red squirrel populations originate from reintroductions in various locations during the first half of the nineteenth century. However, while there has been a relative increase in the area of woodland, there are serious concerns that the red squirrel is facing a bleak future, particularly in Northern Ireland, where populations are threatened by the recent rapid spread of the larger and more adaptable grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), which was first recorded in Northern Ireland in Co. Fermanagh in 1945.

A Species Action Plan for Red Squirrels in Northern Ireland was produced in 2000, with proposals to ensure the survival of the remaining red squirrel populations. It highlighted five ‘red squirrel preferred areas’, where viable populations could be maintained and protected through habitat management. These are in the northeast of County Antrim, the Sperrin Mountains, South Down, East Fermanagh and West Fermanagh. Each preferred area has a core area consisting of predominantly coniferous woodland which has the potential to be conserved as red squirrel habitat.

Red squirrels are smaller than grey squirrels and tend to be more at home living in the tops of trees, while grey squirrels spend more time foraging on the ground. The winter coat of the red squirrel can be very dark and quite grey and can be easily confused with the grey squirrel.

Red squirrels - the tail can often be darker than the rest of its coat. In autumn, the ears grow long tufts which are at their finest in mid-winter, but by summer the tufts will have disappeared.

Grey squirrels - no prominent ear tufts. The underside is white or pale grey and sides, limbs and paws are often reddish brown, there are white hairs fringing the tail.

Much of the information on changes in the distribution of red and grey squirrels is based on two surveys respectively carried out by Queens University researchers, Denis O’Teangana and Kate O’Neil.

The first, in 1995, included 261 sites, and showed that while there was a great deal of overlap in the distributions of red and grey squirrels, red squirrels clearly predominated in upland areas, where there was the greatest amount of coniferous forestry, and were virtually absent from the lowland areas to the north and south of Lough Neagh. In contrast grey squirrels occurred ubiquitously across the southern half of Northern Ireland and, west of the River Bann, as far as the north coast. At that time County Antrim was the only area without a large grey squirrel population.

The second survey, in 2002, looked at 80 sites mainly in interface areas, where both species were known to exist. Disturbingly, it identified an overall increase in the distribution of grey squirrels, particularly in the Limavady/Dungiven area, and to the south and west of County Antrim, where grey squirrels now occur widely between the River Bann and the Antrim plateau. Counties Fermanagh and Tyrone still provide a relatively safe haven for red squirrels because of the large areas of forestry, although grey squirrels have either become established or replaced reds in forests in the Clogher valley and east Fermanagh. In the same period in County Down grey squirrels have become established in Tollymore Forest Park and neighbouring Donard forest next to Newcastle, Co Down, while Hillsborough forest, near Lisburn, and Narrow Water forest, near Warrenpoint, now have substantial populations of grey squirrels. In Belfast red squirrels are occasional seen in the north and west of the city, including Colin Glen. Red squirrels may have been more abundant in the south of the city, although in recent years grey squirrels have appeared regularly in Barnett's Park and Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon’s Park, while sightings have increased in Belvoir Park Forest. This gives particular cause for concern because, due to its large broadleaves and mixed species composition, the forest is an attractive destination for grey squirrels moving along the wooded banks of the River Lagan and its feeders.

1. Grey squirrels

Grey squirrels threaten the delicate balances which exist within our woodlands. In broadleaved woodland both squirrel species compete largely for the same food. Where food is limited grey squirrels hold an advantage, due to their ability to consume unripe food such as hazelnuts in October, while red squirrels can only eat ripened nuts. Furthermore, grey squirrels accumulate relatively more fat during the winter, which would prolong survival in deciduous woodlands, when frost or snow reduces access to cached seeds. Red squirrels are therefore more likely to suffer from food shortages over the winter months where grey squirrels are present. Competition from the grey squirrels has generally resulted in the displacement of red squirrels from broadleaved habitat within 15 years, although it has been reported that the two species have co-existed in some Fermanagh forests for over 30 years.

2. Parapox virus

This is a potentially fatal virus for the red squirrel, but the grey squirrel appears unaffected, and is thought to be a carrier of the disease. The origins of parapox are unknown, but antibodies of the virus are present in some of our grey squirrel populations in Northern Ireland. Visible external signs on a red squirrel harbouring the virus include wet, discharging lesions or scabs around the eyes, mouth, feet and genitalia.

3. Predators

Pine martens, raptors such as sparrow hawks and buzzards, rats, cats and foxes are predators of both red and grey squirrels. While populations of potential predators may be increasing, the effect of predation on Northern Ireland squirrel populations is still thought to be negligible.

1. Control Grey squirrels

The recommended method of grey squirrel control is cage trapping. If you own or manage a woodland, it may be possible to secure a grant from the Environment & Heritage Service (EHS) for grey squirrel control, including purchase and maintenance of traps, and for the supplementary feeding of red squirrels. Application forms are available by telephone at (028) 90 546544.

The Forest Service also offers a grant for grey squirrel control in woodlands of a minimum area 1ha. Application forms for their Sustainable Forestry Operations Grant are available by telephone at (028) 90524466.

2. Record Observations

Information on the squirrel species currently present in forests in preferred areas and in interface areas is of key importance for monitoring conservation efforts. Sightings of red or grey squirrels in your locality can be reported to the Centre for Environmental Data and Recording (CEDaR) at the Ulster Museum by e-mail (damien.mcferran.um@nics.gov.uk). Please include the following information - squirrel species, location, grid reference, date, your name and address and any appropriate comment. Alternatively, you may contact the Ulster Wildlife Trust for information regarding local recording initiatives.

If you should find a dead red squirrel please contact the EHS Wildlife Officer at Commonwealth House, Belfast, tel. (028) 9054 6558. If it can contribute to current research, arrangements will be made to collect the carcass.

3. Create suitable habitat

The creation of a favourable habitat for red squirrels is an important conservation effort. Coniferous woodland with high proportions of Norway Spruce and Scots or Lodgepole Pine is the most favourable; other favourable species for red squirrels include Japanese or European Larch, Douglas Fir, Yew and Hawthorn. Oak, Beech, Chestnut and Hazel are large seeded deciduous trees which preferentially encourage grey squirrels and should not be planted within red squirrel conservation areas. Broadleaves such as birch, rowan, ash, willow, aspen and alder produce small seed which although not a favoured food source for the red squirrel, is not attractive to grey squirrels.

New planting, replanting after felling, or other work carried out in existing woodlands may qualify for grant aid under the Forest Service Woodland Grant Scheme. The preparation of a sound management plan for red squirrel conservation will attract support. Planting grants for small farm woodlands are also available from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Countryside Management Division.

4. Supplementary feeding

In certain situations supplementary feeding, using specialised tree mounted food hoppers filled with a mix including maize, sunflower seeds, peanuts, wheat, hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, and apples may contribute to red squirrel conservation where both species are present. The critical times for feeding red squirrels are in the late spring and summer, from April through to August, when natural food becomes scarce. If the autumn/winter seed crop is poor then feeding may need to start earlier. Carrots and boiled bones or antlers should be available as a source of calcium, which would otherwise be lacking. Care should be also taken that other animals such as rats are not attracted by spilt food, and monthly cleaning with disinfectant is essential. Advice on feeding should be sought from the Ulster Wildlife Trust or the Environment and Heritage Service’s Wildlife Officer.

5. Education and Awareness

It is important to increase awareness of the need for red squirrel conservation. The Forest Service offers a non-charged guided service to provide education programmes, including red squirrel conservation, to schools, community groups, youth organisations or special interest groups. Please refer to the Forest Service website (http://www.forestserviceni.gov.uk/education/education.htm) or to book a visit contact your local Forest Office. Details of an education initiative in Derry City involving supplementary feeding and recording may be obtained from the Ulster Wildlife Trust. A red squirrel education pack is available on the Environment and Heritage Service website ( http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/pubs/pubs_search_results.asp).

NOTES TO EDITORS

All media enquiries to DARD Press Office Tel: 028 9052 4619.