Red Squirrel: Threats to Red Squirrels
Red squirrels occupy a similar ecological niche as grey squirrels, but differ in ability to digest large seeds, such as acorns.
Changes to woodland
Disease Predators
Road kills
When plantations of Scot’s pine and Norway spruce were felled as they matured, the areas were largely replaced with Sitka spruce plantations which offer a limited and unpredictable food supply for red squirrels. Advice to landowners on planting for red squirrel conservation has now been started and there were Forestry Commission grants available to land managers to encourage such a scheme. Forest design and changes to the habitat can affect the survival of the red squirrel as it is less adaptable and utilises fewer tree species.
Grey squirrels carry a virus known as Squirrel Poxvirus, which appears to have no effect on them, but leads to death in red squirrels. The virus causes skin ulcers, lesions and scabs, with swelling and discharge around the eyes, mouth, feet and genitals. There is no known antidote, but there has been the first report of a red squirrel in Cumbria surviving the virus attack. Recently a grey squirrel in the borders was found to have antibodies to the disease, meaning it had been in contact with the disease and developed an immunity. However in May 2007 several red squirrels were found to have been killed by the virus near Lockerbie. These are the first confirmed deaths in Scotland which is serious for our Scottish populations of reds.
If red squirrels come into your garden it is important to make sure that bird and squirrel feeders are kept as clean as possible to prevent bacterial spread. You should not feed squirrels if you have both red and grey visiting your garden.
Predation affects squirrel numbers. They are preyed upon by Sparrowhawks, Goshawks and Pine Marten. Appropriate forest management will help to support large, healthy red squirrel populations that can withstand the effects of these predators. Domestic cats have been known to catch squirrels and raid dreys.
Many squirrels are killed on the roads. Unfortunately, when squirrels cross from one piece of woodland to another they may have to run the gauntlet of passing traffic. Road kill blackspots can be identified and it may be possible in some areas to erect road signs and a rope bridge so that they can cross in safety eg near Brodick on Arran.
