Examples of sightings from around the UK of reds returning (November 2009)

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Cumbria

Grasmere: Reds returning in 2009 following increase in grey squirrel effort.

Grey squirrels were historically controlled in the Grasmere area but this became co-ordinated since the formation of the Grasmere Local group in 2004. The group now has 40 households involved in grey control and reporting of squirrel sightings, and collaborates with Northern Red Squirrels and Save our Squirrels (SoS).

Red Bank, Greenhead Gill and Brackenfell/White Moss are examples of areas which experienced local red squirrel extinctions due to squirrelpox outbreaks but where, through grey control during and following the outbreaks, reds have since returned.

Skelwith Bridge, Coniston: Reds returning from 2008 following grey control by residents.

Red squirrels started to visit the residents’ gardens about 15 years ago, when households started to feed the birds.  In 1999 the reds disappeared and greys began to regularly visit the bird tables. The residents then began grey control but for the next two years neither reds nor greys were observed. However, in 2008 four reds have been seen feeding regularly together, and the residents believe that there are certainly more.  In May 2009 at least two nursing mothers have been visiting the bird tables daily.

Firbank, Sedbergh: Reds returning from October 2008 following consistent grey squirrel control by residents.

John Hatt has lived in Firbank, near Sedbergh in Cumbria for 7 years and had never seen a red until 20th October 2008. Since that October there have now been several sightings in the valley. A mile away to the north, there have been three sightings; and a pair has regularly been seen to feed at a bird-feeder that is a quarter of a mile to the south.

Ambleside: Reds returning from Autumn 2009 after 3 year campaign.

Skelwith Fold Caravan Park determined on a campaign to see the return of the reds three years ago. In the autumn of 2008, the first colony of reds was spotted and by the time winter had set in, they knew of at least eight established colonies.

Northumberland

Dissington Hall: Reds returning from Spring 2009 following grey control in the immediate area and surrounding woodlands.

This area has experienced two periods of dramatic red squirrel decline, in part due to the squirrelpox virus. The first took place in October 2005 and the second in January 2008. In response to this grey control was conducted in the immediate area (by the Landowner) and in surrounding woodlands (by the NRS group Ponteland Red Squirrels). From the spring of 2009 red squirrels have been sighted regularly and there have been no reported grey sightings since the winter months.

Milbourne: Reds returning from February 2009 following grey squirrel control.

There had been no reported red squirrel sightings in Milbourne since early 2008. After grey squirrel control carried out by Ponteland Red Squirrels and RSPP in the surrounding area, regular red squirrel sightings have been reported since February 2009.

Merseyside

Reds returning from Autumn 2009 following expanded grey squirrel control network.

The red squirrels of Merseyside suffered a devastating squirrelpox outbreak in 2006-2008. Red squirrel numbers in the National Trust reserve at Formby alone dropped from around 1,000 to approximately 100-150.

However, the Sefton Coast Red Squirrel population survey was carried out recently and its results show a remarkable recovery. It shows that the pinewood population has almost doubled in the space of a year from the historic low of around 150 animals in 2008 to an estimated 300.

North Wales

Anglesey: Red population increased from 40 to 300 following ten year campaign of grey squirrel control.

In 1998 the red squirrels of Anglesey faced extinction. There was only an isolated population of 40 red squirrels immersed amongst some 3,000 adult grey squirrels. The future looked bleak. Today there are 300 red squirrels on the island, and the species has returned, not only to the coniferous habitats, but to the full spectrum of broadleaved woodlands within which it would historically have been found prior to the grey squirrel invasion.

Bangor: Reds returning from October 2009 following successful campaign on Anglesey.

Red squirrels have found their way across the Menai Strait from Anglesey to Gwynedd. Two reds were found at Treborth and on the Faenol estate near Bangor – the last red squirrel recorded at Treborth was in 1976.

Yorkshire Dales

Reeth: Reds returning from October 2009 following grey control.

Reds have been spotted in Hawes/Swaledale – within the Yorkshire Dales’s red squirrel reserve areas.

South Scotland

Melrose: Reds returning from 2001 following intensive grey squirrel control.

A consequence of the Foot and Mouth disease outbreak in 2001 was the restriction on travel over agricultural land. Consequently, the Forest Wildlife rangers spent more time in the forest controlling grey squirrels and as a result, culling was more intensive than normal.

Residents in Bowden reported seeing squirrels in their gardens for the first time in 10 years. Jock Gray, resident on the estate, reported that “the reds were normally confined to the conifer blocks on the higher ground. After 2001, I could see more red squirrels and spread throughout the woodlands”.

Galashiels: Reds returning from 2009 following a decade of consistent grey squirrel control.

James Pringle of Torwoodlee Estate reports seeing more reds than greys since the beginning of 2009.

Selkirk: Reds returning from 2006 following 20 years of consistent grey control.

Grey squirrel control on the Bowhill Estate has been ongoing for over 20 years and the estate has retained a healthy red squirrel population in a mixed woodland habitat with a high proportion of large seeded broadleaved trees. Grey control increased steadily to combat the near 500% increase in 6 years.

In 2006, there was an immediate increase in sightings by woodland and estate staff, the general public and people living on the estate. Steven Gray, wildlife ranger at Bowhill, “reported that red squirrels are now seen in the river valleys, in mixed woodland and on lower ground which previously had been the domain of the grey squirrels”.