The only way they could have travelled so far was by human intervention. For example, the population in Aberdeen is most closely related to populations in Hampshire, around the New Forest area. Dr Signorile also discovered that one of the worst offenders at spreading grey squirrels was the 11th Duke of Bedford, Herbrand Russell.
Russell was involved in many successful animal conservation projects, but released and gifted many grey squirrels around the UK from his home at Woburn Park. Russell also released populations in Regent's Park, likely creating the London epidemic of greys. Although not as good invaders as previously thought, greys still outcompete native red squirrels for resources, and carry diseases that kills reds but not greys. Greys have largely displaced reds in England and Wales.
For all years, the BBS confidence intervals are completely or almost completely within the NGC confidence intervals, indicating good agreement between the two index series. This report should be cited as: Aebischer,N. National Gamebag Census: Mammal Trends to Return to species list.
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Please read our cookie policy for more information. Grey squirrel Sciurus carolinensis. All rights reserved NERC Source: National Biodiversity Network and its data providers , who bear no responsibility for interpretation of the 10xkm grid map.
Within the space of 25 years, for instance, grey squirrels had colonised an area of some miles between Argyll and Stirlingshire in Scotland.
Although they are bigger and have a reputation for being aggressive, they do not kill red squirrels and there is evidence that red squirrels were already on the decline because of loss of habitat and disease. The greys have just taken up the space vacated by the reds. They are also prolific breeders with 2 litters a year of between 3 and 7 kits. This is why extermination programs have not worked — clear the greys out of one area and the neighbouring colonies just move in.
Current thinking on conservation for red squirrels is that the best route to boosting numbers is to encourage the habitats most suited to them. Further information on the work and locations of the Red Squirrel Groups in Northern Ireland is available at the link below:. You can also record sightings of pine marten in Northern Ireland. From these maps you can see there are key areas that we must reduce the contact between reds and greys. Red Squirrel distribution map Grey squirrels distribution map Pine marten distribution map Controlling the grey squirrel population Topics: Biodiversity.
Northern Ireland Squirrel Forum. The problem The greys had been established in Great Britain from their native North America several years before. Squirrel pox and other squirrel diseases Adapting to habitat change The red squirrels have also suffered because of the continued loss of quality habitat across the island, isolating populations and further reducing the survival chances for this charismatic little mammal. The solution The only sustainable way to conserve the Red Squirrel in the UK and Ireland is to remove the grey squirrel from the habitats suitable for red squirrels.
How can I help? Or contact the NIEA for further advice: email: squirrels daera-ni.
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