Red Squirrels in North East Scotland – Past, Present and Future

Introduction

The red squirrel is Britain's only native squirrel. Formerly widespread in the UK, it is now
restricted to Scotland, Northern Ireland and North England with small pockets found elsewhere.
Seventy five per cent of the UK population is found in Scotland with an estimated
population of 120,000.

Records from the Forestry Commission suggest that the North East has the largest area in
which red squirrels have been continuously present between 1973 and 1992.

At present red squirrels are found throughout the North East with strong populations in Deeside, Donside and Speyside. However, there have been increased sightings in recent years of the introduced grey squirrel, especially in areas around Aberdeen City where they were introduced to parks around 30 years ago. Evidence from elsewhere in the UK suggests that grey squirrels will eventually oust red squirrels from their traditional territories. The purpose of this plan is to identify and monitor our core red squirrel areas and ensure the management of these and other areas for the future benefit of our resident population.

The Beginning

The first signs of the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris L.) appeared at the end of the last ice age,
almost 10,000 years ago, when the land bridge between Britain and Europe was starting to
disappear.

Ups and Downs

Records from the 15th and 16th centuries indicate that red squirrel numbers dropped in
Scotland and Wales, and by the 18th century the red squirrel had virtually become extinct
in Scotland. This decline can largely be attributed to the need for timber in industry,
agriculture and war, and the subsequent felling of large areas of woodland.

With a new drive to replace the trees which had been lost, new planting in the 19th century
boosted red squirrel numbers, and by the start of the 20th century there was a thriving
population of red squirrels across Britain. The red squirrel recovered to such an extent, that in
some places it became known as a pest.

Unfortunately, while the red squirrel was formerly widespread over the UK it has since been lost from larger areas of the country, over the last 50 years. The species is now found only in Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and small pockets in Wales and southern England. As the grey squirrel continues to spread there is concern that red squirrels may disappear completely from mainland England and Wales within the next 20 years. The future of the red squirrel in Scotland is also far from secure.

Relatives from Abroad

During the course of the 20th century the red squirrel had a particularly hard time, with
further tree clearances during both world wars, and outbreaks of two fatal diseases
– Coccidiosis and Parapox virus. However, perhaps of most importance was the arrival
of a new squirrel species from abroad. The grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is an animal
of the oak and hickory forests of north east America, where it is part of the area’s native
wildlife. As with many non-native plants and animals now found in Britain, the introduction
of the grey squirrel can be blamed on us! It was 1876 when the first pair of grey
squirrels were released in Henbury Park, Cheshire by a Mr Brocklehurst, and the appeal of
these ‘new’ squirrels spread with further releases during the following fifty years. The first
grey squirrels in Scotland were released in 1892, at sites including Edinburgh Zoo.
It was initially thought that aggression from the larger grey squirrel was to blame for the
replacement of red squirrels by greys, but research has shown that this is not the case…

The grey squirrel’s efficiency in digesting large seeds from broadleaved trees (such as acorns
and hazelnuts), gives them a competitive advantage over red squirrels in broadleaved and
mixed woodland. They are able to feed on these seeds before they are fully ripe, and gain
more nutritional benefit from them than red squirrels. Grey squirrels are also thought to steal
nuts and seeds from red squirrel winter stores. This results in weight loss in red squirrels and
therefore reduced breeding success, as red squirrels need good body fat reserves in order to
produce and successfully rear young in Spring.

In broadleaved or mixed woodlands, red squirrels are unlikely to remain within fifteen years of
the appearance of grey squirrels.

With numbers already low, the spread of grey squirrels across Britain spelled disaster for many
red squirrel populations, leading to their disappearance throughout most of England, Wales and
the Scottish central belt. It is estimated that there could be in the region of 3 million grey
squirrels living in Britain today, compared with only 120,000 red squirrels.

Legal Protection The red squirrel is protected under schedules 5 and 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Under this legislation it is illegal to "intentionally kill, injure or take" or "damage, destroy or obstruct" access to any structure or place used for shelter or protection, or to disturb any animal while it is in a drey. Forestry operations are not prevented by this legislation but are expected to cause minimal disturbance and minimise loss of habitat.

Regional Status

Historical records for the North East have been sketchy or carried out on too large a scale.
However the Forestry Commission used to carry out an annual squirrel survey nationally,
which suggested that the North East has the largest area in which red squirrels have been
continuously present between 1973 and 1992. SNH also carried out local surveys with
schools in 1997-98, and have recorded casual sightings since 1985.

In 2000, the Grampian Squirrel Group carried out a survey over the entire Grampian area, to
try and record all known red and grey squirrel sightings in the area. The Squirrel Distribution
Grampian map shows the results of the 2000 survey combined with the results of the SNH
survey. The map shows apparently strong populations of red squirrels in the large areas of
mainly coniferous forest in the North East. However, the map also clearly shows how the grey
squirrels are spreading out of Aberdeen, following the mature broadleaved corridors on the
banks of the Dee and the Don in their search for new territory.

The End of Red Squirrels in the North East? With evidence to suggest that the grey squirrel is continuing to benefit from woodlands in the North East at the expense of red squirrels, the future seems bleak for our native species. However, if we commit ourselves to the task of ensuring a future for red squirrels in the Grampian area, there are positive steps, which can be taken.

Studies have shown that where red and grey squirrels exist, red squirrels can survive where
there are large areas of spruce dominated coniferous woodland. Therefore, managing conifer
forests in a way which favours red squirrels and discourages grey squirrels is seen to be the
key to the future survival of red squirrels in the North East.

The plight of the red squirrel is recognised in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan as a ‘Priority
Species’ in need of urgent conservation action. A Regional Action Plan for red squirrel
conservation have been produced for Grampian, and is being implemented by the
Grampian Squirrel Group.

With a co-ordinated approach to red squirrel conservation across Britain, combining direct
action with education, the red squirrel will remain a part of our natural heritage for future
generations to admire.