Red Squirrel Action Plan

Benefits of Red Squirrel Conservation

Red squirrels are one of our most familiar and well-loved mammals and "they fill an important ecological niche in Britain" (Gurnell et al 1993). Therefore, not only do we have a moral and legal obligation to protect this species from extinction, but there is considerable public support in doing so. The benefits of implementing the red squirrel action plan in the North East, include the reduced spread of grey squirrels and disease, and decreased damage to trees, caused by grey squirrels.

Implementation of this plan will publicise and protect the habitat requirements of red squirrels in the North East of Scotland. The plan should lead to a co-ordination of effort by different landowners to ensure that identified core or buffer woodland areas are managed towards creating a long-term red squirrel-friendly habitat.


This will be based on the woodlands identified in the existing survey detail and the vital future
updating of this data. Most importantly, the plan should be a valuable guide in the or perhaps
in "design and management" of forestry and in development planning.

UK Biodiversity Objectives & Targets

In 1995 the Biodiversity Steering Group published action plans for 116 threatened or vulnerable
species which required immediate action. The red squirrel was one of these.

The main objectives of the UK Action Plan are:

  • To maintain viable self-sustaining populations of red squirrels in areas where red squirrel
    populations are healthy and where grey squirrels are currently rare or absent. Such areas
    might be either sensitive for grey squirrels or vulnerable to grey squirrel invasions.

  • Wherever practicable, to maintain or expand red squirrel populations, which are currently
    threatened because of isolation, small size or proximity to grey squirrel populations.

  • To reintroduce red squirrels to selected areas in their former natural range where the
    ecosystem can be effectively managed to support viable populations.

Objectives and Proposed Targets

Principal Objectives: Maintain self-sustaining populations of red squirrels in areas where red
squirrel populations are healthy and where grey squirrels are currently rare or absent, and
protect or expand red squirrel populations that are currently threatened because of isolation,
small size or proximity to grey squirrel populations.

Target: No loss of red squirrels in existing key habitat. Successful management set up in key
areas, to protect and expand red squirrel populations and discourage greys, by 2007.

Policy and Legislation
Objective 1: Ensure that the needs of red squirrels are considered in all planning applications and procedures, nature conservation strategies, forestry strategies, management plans and planting schemes.
Target: All relevant planning and statutory bodies are aware of red squirrel habitat needs, through briefings, seminars and workshops by the Grampian Squirrel Group.
Time: By end of 2002, with updates every three years.
7.2 Survey and Monitoring

Survey and Monitoring
Objective 2: Identify red squirrel core areas, grey squirrel areas, and the buffer zones between the two species.
Target: Core red squirrel areas and buffer zones between red and grey squirrel areas established through the Grampian Squirrel Survey and ongoing monitoring.
Time: Annual monitoring 2002 onwards, new complete survey in 2005.

Objective 3: Determine the conservation status of red squirrels, threats to their viability and the effects of different forestry management upon them.
Target: Conservation status, threats, and effects of different forest management techniques in the North East identified, using data collected through the Grampian Squirrel Survey.
Time: By 2005.

Protection and Enhancement of Key Red Squirrel Populations
Objective 4: Alleviate grey squirrel threats to resident red squirrel populations, through habitat management to benefit red squirrels and by controlling grey squirrels in buffer zones, following UK guidance.
Target: Identify all woodlands containing both red and grey squirrel populations and contact and advise owners on best management practice.
Time: By end of 2003.

Education and Awareness Raising
Objective 5: Increase awareness of the need for red squirrel conservation and encourage public involvement.
Target: Promote the Species Action Plan and the need for red squirrel conservation through the local media, events and through relevant government and non-government bodies.
Time: 2002 ongoing.

The Red Squirrel Action Plan was prepared by Gavin Legge, with input from the
Grampian Squirrel Group.

References

Joint Natural Conservation Committee (JNCC) (1996)
UK strategy for red squirrel conservation.

Gurnell J and Pepper H (1993)
A critical look at conserving the British Red Squirrel. Mammal Review 23:3/4:127-137.

Pepper H, Bryce J, and Cartmel S (1999-2000)
Co existence of red squirrels and grey squirrels. Forest Research Annual Report.

Pepper H and Patterson G (1998)
Red squirrel conservation. Forestry Commission Practice Note.

Reynolds, J and Bentley, S (2001)
Selecting Refuge Sites for Red Squirrel Conservation.
Paper prepared for the English Squirrel Forum.

Scottish Natural Heritage (1998)
Scottish Strategy for Red Squirrel Conservation