ESI newsletter issue 29_Layout 1 27/10/2014 15:34 Page 2

ISSUE 29 OCTOBER 2014

www.europeansquirrelinitiative.org

Published by the European Squirrel Initiative

Another species under threat from the Grey Squirrel? ESI newsletter issue 29_Layout 1 27/10/2014 15:34 Page 3

Editorial In Brief...

In the distant past you may have heard me bemoan a lack of government urgency over the Grey Squirrel problem; but more recently you would have Squirrel been forgiven for detecting a hint of optimism during the tenure of Owen Paterson. He offered a willingness to actually do something to reduce them. Burger So you can imagine what a blow it was huge fee versus a relatively small return when he lost his job. The new Secretary on Warfarin sales. ESI are busily of State, Liz Truss, may well be just as campaigning to try and find a solution as Challenge good, we shall wait and see but what is Warfarin is a critically important control In October the Forest Showcase absolutely certain is that the recently method in large forestry blocks where Food and Drink Festival staged the proposed, and agreed, EU legislation of no Reds exist. If we can enable the Squirrel Burger Challenge in a bid to Invasive Alien Species will definitely help continuation of Warfarin we are going to get the animal onto the British menu. concentrate her mind. recommend that it should be used The competition was held in the ESI has embarked on a new project between October to May, during the Forest Of Dean where more than this summer. Charles Dutton is writing a Greys ‘hungry gap’. At the moment you 100,000 grey squirrels have been book that will prove to be invaluable to can only use it between March and blamed for stamping out other forestry managers. He announces new August. wildlife and destroying trees. research as to why Grey Squirrels do the ESI attended a meeting at Dumfries Participants submitted a recipe damage they do and offers solutions to House along with a considerable and 15 finalists were chosen to mitigate the huge financial losses that number of other squirrel minded serve up their version of the squirrels can cause. (Article on page 6). delegates such as Natural England, controversial dish. Each contestant We will let you know when it is available. Scottish National Heritage, The Wildlife was handed three locally sourced We continue to modify the Trust, The Red Squirrel Survival Trust, squirrel carcasses and they all Goodnature Trap and hope that DEFRA The Royal Society for the Protection of added their own flavours to make a will recognise the significance of the Birds and many more. The meeting was quarter pounder. potential for saving many man hours organised by RSST with the intention of with this device and award the trap a pulling everybody together and loosely licence. binding these groups to a plan of action You may be aware that the plant to save the Red Squirrel. The plan is protection licence, giving us the right to known as “The Squirrel Accord.” ESI control Grey Squirrels with Warfarin, is have signed up to it and look forward to about to expire. The task of renewing co-operation between the groups in the the licence has fallen to the Swedish hope of facilitating a robust and unified Government who has suggested an approach to the main threat to the Red inordinately large fee for doing so. Squirrel….. the Grey Squirrel. Naturally, Killgerm, who are the sole manufacturers of Warfarin for this George Farr purpose, don’t see the point of paying a Editor Jigger Writes...

The Lucky Squirrel hand slid down the rifle to chamber a Festooned with squirrel traps, rifle slung round, something felt different and I across my shoulder and two terriers on realised I had left the bolt at home (I the front, I chugged through the extract the bolts from my rifles for safety beautiful woods on my quad bike. reasons when it is stored). When I approached a wood of The squirrel scampered away! hornbeams lying to the east of the Hall, That evening over our meal, I told my a hot spot for squirrels and where many wife who erupted with laughter. It took have met their demise, I spied one me a bit longer to see the funny side. scurrying in the leaves. Well it was getting near Christmas I told Slipping off my quad I leaned against myself …… but it didn’t help much.

a hornbeam. Taking careful aim my Jigger is a vermin controller at an estate in Suffolk.

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ESI Update – by Andrew Kendall, ESI ESI Activity

Since publication of the last we have reported in the past it is newsletter ESI has been engaged in a estimated that the annual cost of the EU number of activities supporting alien species is 12 billion Euros. projects in the UK as well as the As you will have read elsewhere in this Republic of Ireland and Italy. edition of squirrel ESI is looking at the One of the most significant impact the grey squirrel has on dormice. developments has been confirmation Dr Craig Shuttleworth is looking at what from the European Commission of the research might be done to learn more adoption of a Regulation on the about this. If it is found that grey squirrels Prevention and Management of the do impact on dormice populations it Introduction and spread of Invasive Alien opens up another front in the war against Species. the grey squirrel. This is a piece of legislation that ESI ESI continues to be in the vanguard Andrew Kendall has been has been lobbying hard for. Work on this on the Warfarin issue working with involved with ESI since its began initially in 2008 and its adoption by likeminded organisations such as the founding in 2002, and is the commission is a major step forward. Country Land and Business Association, responsible for the day to day The next issue is to ensure that grey The Royal Forestry Society and Confor. operation of the charity. squirrels are contained within the Together we continue to examine a way legislation as a species of Union concern. forward to secure the future of Warfarin ESI will be working closely with as a method of grey squirrel control. ESI and identifying priorities for the next five Commission as well as DEFRA to ensure has tabled parliamentary question to years. More will emerge in the next that this happens. obtain greater clarity from the newsletter however rest assured ESI is ESI also welcomed the statement in government on its position and also to determined to wage an effective war the Queen’s speech in June of this year see if there are ways in which the against the grey squirrel and ensure that of a provision for a Bill to allow for a government might assist in providing government, its agencies and other Species Control order to control invasive funding to help with the relicensing of bodies both private and public continue non-native species. The government’s Warfarin. to be aware of the threat posed by grey proposal falls in line with the new During the last two months ESI has squirrels and the damage they cause approach from Brussels to treat invasive been conducting a review of its activity both to the economy and the non-native species more seriously. As environment. Check your Home Insurance! Readers may already know that many the board and few contents insurance some cases squirrels are specifically home insurance providers will not cover policies will cover for pets. excluded from the vermin classification. If for damage caused by chewing, tearing, But did you know that some providers you live in a grey squirrel area, make sure scratching or fouling by animals. This will not cover for damage caused by you’re covered and squirrel proof your provision is the same pretty much across insects, vermin or infestation. Although in home and garden as much as possible.

ESI, East Bank House, Tide Mill Way, Woodbridge, If you would be interested in advertising Suffolk, IP12 1BY in Squirrel please contact Tel: +44 (0)1394 386919 [email protected] Email: [email protected] 01394 610022

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Is Our Native Dormouse Under Threat From the Grey Squirrel?

Two decades ago, almost 6500 painstakingly examined each of these revealed that in fact only 10% were volunteers took part in the Great Nut nuts and catalogued whether the correctly categorised, and 63% had Hunt, a pioneering 'Citizen Science' shell had indeed been opened by a been opened by squirrels. based national hazel dormouse dormouse. The results illuminated The evidence indicated that grey (Muscardinus avellanarius) survey. dormice distribution in England & squirrels were consuming the majority of The project provided volunteers with Wales, but it also told us something the nuts found eaten in woodlands. information packs and diagrams about grey squirrels too. This finding begs an obvious question illustrating the characteristic ways in Of the 172,644 opened nuts 'Do grey squirrels have a negative affect which different woodland animals discovered, Pat and his team report that on dormice?' Answering this is however open the shell of hazel nuts. Armed volunteers found most had been not as straightforward as at first it might with this knowledge, people searched opened by squirrels. Given the seem. Both species consume a range of local woodland and recorded the restricted range of the native red food types, and the dormouse, a number of nuts present in an area squirrel, it was obviously grey squirrels species protected by European law, is and collected only those which they that were consuming the majority of the greatly affected by annual weather thought had been opened by seeds. Only a total of 13171 nuts were patterns, and also habitat change dormice. Dr Pat Morris at the initially identified as having been gnawed resulting from woodland management University of London then by dormice, but the expert eye later and increasing deer grazing pressures.

Dormouse handled during

research in North Wales. © Ceri Wyn Morris

Page 3 ESI newsletter issue 29_Layout 1 27/10/2014 15:34 Page 6 © Craig Shuttleworth

Grey Squirrel Litter - Studies would need to look at productivity of both dormice and grey squirrels.

We also know that dormouse Whichever approach was undertaken influence grey squirrel populations. A populations persist in grey squirrel to investigate grey squirrel impacts, the large acorn crop in the autumn of Year 1 landscapes, and in fact have been studies would have to be relatively long- would see higher densities and more successfully reintroduced to woodlands term in order to assess how the juveniles produced in the following Year containing grey squirrels. That said, availability of different tree seed affects 2. Should oak produce poor seed in what we observe in all of the above are the two rodents populations. Dormice Year 2 then it could lead to increased patterns of population dynamics, don't exploit acorn crops, so here we competition for hazel nuts with dormice. distribution and abundance measured in have a food, in the acorn, that the grey If hazel crops were relatively poor that the presence of greys. What would squirrel not only can digest very autumn then competition could be even happen if we removed those grey efficiently but which also positively more intense. squirrels? Could we then measure correlates with density and productivity. This impact may be a little simplistic changes in dormouse abundance or Robert Kenward & Jessica Holm given the fact that dormice eat a range survival? published a fabulous piece of research of foods including oak flowers, honey There are substantial dormouse in 'Proceedings Biological Sciences' Vol. suckle, bramble, ash keys, sycamore populations on the isle of Wight, an 251 (1993) on how acorn and oak flowers and thorn fruits, but it at least island without grey squirrels present. provides an initial aspect to focus This situation offers an opportunity to research upon. Quantifying the compare dormouse survival, breeding abundance and availability of alternative and dispersal data against a mainland dormouse food items would clearly also site, or sites, with greys present. These have to form part of any scientific study. habitats would have to have very similar ESI have identified investigations into forest structure and with the same range the impact of grey squirrels on the & composition of bramble, shrub and European protected dormouse as a tree species. A careful selection process research priority. We are reminded once could though provide a unique again that the non-native grey squirrel opportunity to examine if, and how, population densities are typically x3 to greys impact on the dormouse. x6 times larger than those of the native Scientists could also do a trial red squirrel, which hints at potential removal of grey squirrels from a impacts on other woodland rodents, mainland woodland containing dormice perhaps in particular when key Craig Shuttleworth has worked with and monitor population parameters here alternative food to hazel are limited. landowners and communities and within another dormouse population across the UK to encourage the this time containing greys. It would also Bright et al. (1996) A new survey of the Dormouse control of grey squirrels and be useful to allow grey squirrels to re- Muscardinus avellanarius in Britain, 1993-4. Mammal restoration of native red squirrel Review 26: 189-195. colonise dormouse habitats from which populations. He manages a grey they had been eradicated in order to 2 Kenward & Holm (1993) On the Replacement of the squirrel eradication project on the reaffirm their impact on the smaller Red Squirrel in Britain. A Phytotoxic Explanation. island of Anglesey. Proceedings: Biological Sciences, Vol. 251: 187-194. animals. Craig Shuttleworth. RSST

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UK News

RSST Update Community volunteers and project staff the UK into a much closer and sharing As reported in the last edition of found red squirrels in the same number environment. Fingers are now crossed Squirrel, our major volunteer event of of sites as during the autumn 2013 for a successful outcome which would the summer was the RSST Volunteer programme, despite seeing an increase release circa £2.2 million into red squirrel Awards. Held at Warwick Hall, in (9%) in the number of sites with grey conservation between 2016 and 2020. Cumbria on 10th July in near squirrels. Increases in grey squirrel In Scotland, government funds were scorching temperatures, we detection were expected following a released for Phase 3 of the Savings welcomed over 70 guests from all mild winter and seemingly abundant wild Scotland’s Red Squirrels project. over the UK to an afternoon of nut and berry supply. They also serve as However, those funds came with a stern celebration of people power. a stark reminder that red squirrels’ future warning that the level of government We have always recognised that on the English mainland is entirely in the support might not continue at the rate without the passion and commitment of hands of committed individuals, groups we had experienced. The time to call on people who care (and have done so for and organisations currently working people power had come – and the next many years) the survival of the red together to conserve reds by managing phase of the project will demand that squirrel would have been a very different intermingled non-native grey squirrel communities are engaged, enthused story to what we are seeing today. This populations. and equipped to take on the is especially evident in Cumbria where Especially interesting this spring is the responsibility of looking after “their” red reds are thriving and the network of red new rash of red squirrel sightings in the squirrels. squirrel groups goes from strength to northern Yorkshire Dales (upper In September, RSST launched its strength. It would be impossible to list all Swaledale) and North Pennines search to find 500 new “friends”. Our the winners in this article but it is worth (Teesdale, County Durham) where red partnership with Bedmax, the wood celebrating that the top award, The squirrels had not been detected since shavings producers, has helped in this David Stapleford Award, (presented in the project started in 2012. initiative as they use their website and memory of David who sadly lost his social media to ask their audiences to battle against leukaemia shortly after Funding support reds in the UK. It’s an ambitious winning the top award at the first The good news continues on campaign to build awareness as well as awards ceremony in 2012) went to Dr Merseyside where red presence vital funds to help us plan for the future. Raj Jones of Anglesey. Now home to continues to bounce back from Readers can take part in the challenge over 600 reds, Anglesey is, of course, devastating losses recorded in 2008, as by visiting held as the blueprint for red squirrel a result of squirrelpox. Reds are pushing www.rsst.org.uk/becomeafriend. reintroduction and Raj was instrumental further afield now and the project team Why not be one of the 500? in pulling the local community and have been involved in a national bid for The RSST newsletter contains regular schools into the project. If ever there European funds, and the associated updates from the projects as well as was an example of what can be required matched funding, so that they other red squirrel activity. We would like achieved when people put their minds might create an even bigger impact on to extend a warm welcome to Squirrel to it, then surely Raj and the folk of the grey numbers to allow natural red readers to receive our emailed island are it. Our congratulations go to expansion beyond the reserve and newsletter. This is simply done by Raj and all the other winners on the day buffer zone. Other beneficiaries in the visiting our website www.rsst.org.uk and – but equally importantly, to all RS bid include Northern Ireland (also scrolling down to the left hand corner of volunteers – everywhere. They are all working across the border), North the home page where you can enter winners. Wales, other aspects of RSNE, Forest your email address. Research and Newcastle University. Spring Monitoring With the submission date nearly upon Out in the field, we received the us, we applaud the time and effort that results of the spring 2014 round of each of the partners has put into the monitoring. In Northern England this exercise. We have learned a lot about was the fifth monitoring survey run by each other as work has been underway the Red Squirrels Northern England for some months and the process itself Janet Wickens (RSNE) project over the last three years. has drawn red squirrel conservation in Director

Page 5 ESI newsletter issue 29_Layout 1 27/10/2014 15:34 Page 8 Photo courtesy of Sarah Mcneil

ESI Provides Funding for a Grey Squirrel Management Handbook

The need for a grey squirrel risk and when they are at risk. Also The handbook looks at all methods of management handbook is long what are the costs of such damage both control including some natural biological overdue, one could say for 50 years. in monitory terms and biodiversity terms. control methods and how all these Since the 1950s it has become clear There is much that can be done to methods might come together under the that the various ‘guidelines’ and mitigate the ravages of the grey squirrel, IUCN guidelines. ‘recommendation’ has at best had which have been well researched and The author hopes that tree growers very limited success or at worst, have published, but yet the forest managers and conservationists will have a useable failed to halt the spread of the north seldom hear about. and workable reference book, which can American grey squirrel, largely at the Various organisations suggest ways be used both in the field, wood and for expense of Britain’s native red in which grey squirrels can be countryside management. It is also squirrel and more generally Britain’s controlled. The new handbook will look hoped that the handbook will bring about wider biodiversity. The need for at all these methods and assess their a change in the belief that grey squirrels effective control of the grey squirrel effectiveness against costs and cannot be controlled. This is a myth. The has been long established both in recommend several control methods removal of grey squirrels has a dramatic Britain, Ireland, Italy and even South which should suit all situations. Much of impact on our native wildlife and their Africa. this information is not new but it is NOT removal locally, regionally and nationally Since the 1980s and even earlier, common knowledge and the handbook has an enormous impact. The handbook there exists a growing body of research, endeavours to bring this wider will hope those to turn the tide. evidence and recommendations both knowledge together to form a best It can be done, it has been done from Britain and around the world that practice guide for those who are elsewhere in the world many times! suggests a new way of controlling the interested in the conservation of our grey squirrel. The starting point is for native biodiversity. The handbook Charles Dutton FICFor the landowners/manager/forester to fully highlights case study to demonstrate Trustee & Director of ESI and Senior understand why grey squirrels damage what consistent control can achieve and Forestry Manager for Pryor & Rickett trees, what forestry & fruit crops are at how it supports a wider picture. Silviculture Ltd

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International News

ESI Welcomes EU News on Invasive Alien Species On the 29th September, the council of the European Union adopted a Regulation on the Prevention and Management of the Introduction and Spread of Invasive Alien Species. “We are delighted that the council of Europe has now formally adopted this Bertolino Photo courtesy of Sandro Regulation which lays down rules to prevent, minimise and mitigate the adverse impact of invasive alien species on bio-diversity,” said George Farr Chairman of ESI. The Regulation will lead to the Commission adopting an open list of invasive alien species of Union concern which will be regularly updated and reviewed. The new Regulation also covers invasive alien species of regional concern and allows member states to identify from their national list, species that require enhanced regional cooperation. The regulation also establishes a surveillance system for their early detection and rapid eradication of invasive alien species. Furthermore, member states must provide for penalties if the Regulation is not correctly applied. The regulation, which is a binding legal instrument, will enter into force from 1st January 2015.

George Farr Chaiman of ESI

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Grey Control Continues in Bid to Release Reds in Cornwall

The Cornwall Red Squirrel Project has just reached another important milestone with the arrival of two red Adult Red Squirrel shown squirrel kits at Trewithen, near here in Trewithen Truro. Red squirrels were introduced to Trewithen in March 2012 with two females from the Welsh Mountain Zoo, where the National Studbook for red squirrels is held. These were joined in July 2012 by a male red squirrel, bred at Paradise Park in Cornwall, and released into the enclosure at Trewithen by HRH The Prince of Wales. Paradise Park has been very successful over the past 18 years, breeding approximately 80 red squirrel kittens which have either been released as part of red squirrel conservation projects or been maintained in the captive breeding population. Now Trewithen will also be helping red squirrel conservation with the arrival of their two new kittens which will be made available through the studbook for captive breeding or wild release. The red squirrels at Trewithen live in a specially designed aviary style enclosure which wraps around the historic walled garden, and includes raised wire runs which allow the squirrels to access sun or shade on two sides of the walled garden as they wish. It’s too early in the progress of the Cornwall Red Squirrel Project to know which have been bred through the The Lizard and West Penwith. just when red squirrels will be able to National Studbook breeding scheme Progress removing grey squirrels is be released into the wild, but the hope will be able to be released into the wild continuing well and as the second full is that within a few years’ red squirrels within the two project target areas; season of grey squirrel removal draws to a close this autumn statistical analysis of the last two years trapping Grey Squirrel removal areas data will be analysed to assess how grey squirrel numbers are changing. Signs are hopeful that grey squirrel Map numbers are significantly down and so it is hoped the release of reds into the wild is drawing ever closer!

Natasha Collings Cornwall Red Squirrel Project Coordinator

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Adnams Broadside and Grey Squirrel Stew

This melt-in-the-mouth stew is a delicious way to prepare grey squirrel meat. A sustainable meat source with a rich and unique flavour, it is perfect as the days grow colder. We recommend using Adnams Broadside but this could also be substituted for German Doppelbock beers which also compliment the nutty elements of squirrel meat.

Instructions Ingredients Sift flour and half of the salt and pepper into a bowl. Wash and dice 1 kg grey squirrel meat (2-3 squirrels) your squirrel meat, seasoning with the rest of the salt and pepper. 40g all-purpose flour Coat the meat in the flour mixture. Over a high setting, heat oil in a 1/ tin of tomatoes / 1 beef tomato 2 large frying pan. Add the squirrel pieces to the pan and brown lightly 1 onion, roughly chopped on all sides for roughly 4 minutes. Add 3 tablespoons of Broadside, 1 large clove garlic, chopped or your stout of choice, along with the tomato, onions and garlic to 2 carrots, chopped the pan. Reduce heat, cover and cook gently for 3 minutes. 300 ml Adnams Broadside 250 ml beef or vegetable stock Add the carrots, thyme and stock to the pan and pour in the rest of 2 tablespoons of butter your stout. Cover partially and let everything simmer for 2½ hours, 1 teaspoon sea salt stirring occasionally, and adding water if needed. Before serving, Black pepper to taste melt in the butter, add salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle with Fresh parsley, chopped chopped parsley. 2 sprigs fresh thyme

Squirrel Prevention in Your Home and Garden

All rodents (rats, mice and squirrels) squirrels or larger birds like pigeons can cause damage in roof spaces. automatically blocks access to feeder There are many things you can do to ports. For more information on the avoid having a problem with grey Squirrel Buster Range and other squirrels, many of them are simple feeders go to and things you can do in your day to www.reallywildbirdfood.co.uk day life. • Cut back tree branches so they do To reduce the attraction of your home not overhang your property and garden to squirrels you should: • Trim wall climbing plants to prevent them reaching from ground to roof • Clear up and remove anything in your level. Squirrels are excellent climbers garden which might provide a food and will utilise anything to access source for squirrels such as fallen fruit your property and spilt pet food • Place protective mesh on redundant • Do not put bird food directly on the chimneys. ground • Use squirrel proof bird feeders where A range of squirrel proof bird possible. There are a range of feeders are available from feeders available which deter squirrels www.reallywildbirdfood.co.uk such as the spring loaded feeder as shown here. The weight of raiding Page 9 ESI newsletter issue 29_Layout 1 27/10/2014 15:34 Page 12

Grey Squirrel Trapping and Despatch

Below is an extract from a “guidance note” produced by ESI giving up-to-date advice on trapping grey squirrels. The full document contains advice on control methods, including trapping and poisoning, it also highlights the status of both red and grey red squirrels under the law. A copy of the leaflet can be downloaded from the ESI website: www.europeansquirrelinitiative.org Alternatively, to request a hard copy, please contact 01394 386919

There are two kinds of traps available for the trapping of grey squirrels, those that are instantly lethal and those that catch Spring Traps Tunnel trapping, also known as spring trapping, is effective all year round. Spring traps have arms or jaws activated by strong springs which, when triggered, close violently around the squirrel’s neck. Death should be instantaneous. The use of spring traps should be avoided within 10 km of a red Red Squirrels have been protected squirrel population. against intentional acts of damage or disturbance since 1981. Subject

Cage Traps to certain exceptions, it is now an Hazell Photograph courtesy of Trish Cage-traps for squirrels are a box The sack method offence to ‘intentionally or constructed of wire mesh with one or recklessly: kill, injure or take A medium weight Hessian sack is two open ends. The doors are triggered (capture) a Red Squirrel, damage, used to extract the squirrels from the by a foot plate or hook from which bait destroy or obstruct access to any trap. The exit door is opened and may be suspended. structure or place which a Red captive squirrels are driven, one at a Squirrel uses for shelter or Poisoning time, into the sack and the exit door protection or disturb a Red Squirrel Poisoning is a another method of closed. while it is occupying a structure or grey squirrel dispatch and only trained The squirrel is then moved into the place which it uses for that operators can buy warfarin bait. The use corner of the sack and with the head purpose. Anyone who carries out, of Warfarin in hoppers may only be used positioned carefully within the corner, or knowingly causes or permits out of doors against grey squirrels for killed rapidly and humanely by a single these acts to occur could be tree protection between 15th March and blow to the back of the head with a committing an offence. 15th August. blunt instrument. It is a criminal offence to use Warfarin where red squirrels persist, unless an application is made. Dispatching of grey squirrels Once a squirrel has been caught in a cage trap, a trapping comb will help with the removal or dispatch of the squirrel to persuade the squirrel to move along the trap. With the squirrel trapped you can easily place the Hessian sack over the end of the trap or dispatch with a gun without the squirrel moving around. Shooting Shooting at close range through the cage trap with an air gun is a humane method of dispatch. Photograph courtesy of Mhairi Seymour Photography www.mhairi-seymour.co.uk Photograph courtesy of Mhairi Seymour Photography www.mhairi-seymour.co.uk

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