|
|
WHY SHOULD GREYS BE CONTROLLED?
• Unfortunately, red and grey
squirrels cannot live side by side
• When grey squirrels enter a red squirrel area, the red squirrels
will die out if there is no intervention
• Grey Squirrels are a non-native species introduced into the
UK 120 years ago
• Red Squirrels are the ONLY native squirrel living in the UK
• Grey squirrels carry the squirrel pox virus which is harmless
to them but causes death in red squirrels within 2 weeks
• Grey squirrels out compete red squirrels for food, eating approximately
6-8 times as much as reds
• The presence of grey squirrels within a red squirrel area will
cause red squirrels to cease breeding
• Grey Squirrels eat birds' eggs and chicks
• They raid crops and destroy trees through bark-stripping
• Grey squirrels will inhabit lofts and roof spaces and can cause
untold damage including fires by chewing through wires
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
DO YOU LIVE IN AN AREA WITH RED SQUIRRELS?
• Join your local group - see
Member Groups page
• Start a local group in your area - contact info@northernredsquirrels.org.uk
• Report red and grey squirrel sightings on the Sightings
page
DO YOU LIVE IN A NON-RED SQUIRREL AREA?
• Join your local grey control
group - e-mail
for more information
• Start a local grey control group - e-mail
for more information
Counties currently with with grey-control groups: Cumbria, Northumberland,
Durham, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire,
West Midlands, Sussex and Cornwall
|
Trapping Guidance
If you have reported a grey squirrel in an area normally occupied
by reds and have agreed to try and trap it, you will normally be provided
with the trap and guidelines. Guidelines are also available by clicking
here.
Grey Sightings
It is important to report grey squirrel sightings. In
areas where reds are the predominant squirrel, it will
facilitate removal of the greys. It will also enable maps
to be assembled showing both types of squirrel. More
details can be found on the Report Sightings page.
|
