Red Squirrels

[maximus otter]

...there is a certain sort of person (not all) who uses the "Red squirrels good, grey squirrels bad" position as a sort of sock puppet for their jingoistic/passively racist attitudes.

Grey squirrels are not a native species to the British Isles, they were introduced to the UK in the late nineteenth century and have become the dominant species across England, Wales and much of Scotland displacing the native red squirrel as they spread. They are larger and have a more varied diet than the red squirrel allowing them to outcompete and rapidly spread at the expense of our native species.

https://www.arkwildlife.co.uk/blog/grey-squirrels-good-and-bad/

Since their introduction into Britain between 1876 and the 1920’s, grey squirrels have spread rapidly, gradually displacing the native red squirrel in most of England and Wales, and in central and south-east Scotland.

https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/research/management-of-grey-squirrels/

The most crucial reason that red and grey squirrels cannot coexist is that grey squirrels carry a virus known as Squirrelpox (SQPV). Grey squirrels who carry the virus show no symptoms, when grey and red squirrels come into contact with each other the virus is easily spread. Although this is just one of several factors, it is estimated that the loss of red squirrels in Britain has happened 20 times faster than it would have done had squirrel pox not been a factor.

Grey squirrels are approximately twice the size of the native red squirrel, and can live in much higher population densities. As a result the grey squirrel has proven to outcompete the red squirrel for habitat and resources resulting in a steady decrease in red squirrel numbers across Britain.

The grey squirrel also has behavioural advantages. The red squirrel, is primarily arboreal and spends only a third of its time on the ground, the grey squirrel on the other hand spends more than three quarters of it’s time on the woodland floor foraging for food. This adaptation means that ahead of the winter, grey squirrels can increase their body weight by as much as 20%, while reds which feed far less efficiently in broadleaved woodland, rarely manage to gain 10%. This inability to gain weight results in many red squirrels not meeting critical mass for survival and breeding.

As a result of the grey squirrel’s behavioural advantages over the native red squirrel which has resulted in such a dramatic decline in red squirrel population numbers across Britain, the grey squirrel has now been listed within an IUCN list of the 100 worst invasive species globally.

https://cornwallredsquirrels.co.uk/red-and-grey

Strangely, no one gets as emotional against the rabbit...

You've heard about myxomatosis, right?

maximus otter

 

[Mythopoeika]

Strangely, no one gets as emotional against the rabbit — which is non native to Britain and was introduced by the Normans.

Introduced by the Romans, I'd thought?

 

[Mikefule]

You've heard about myxomatosis, right?
maximus otter

Yes, but I have not heard city dwellers going on and on about the rabbit not being native, or the hare being "better" in the way that I have heard people going on about how the "bad" non-native grey squirrel is forcing out "our" native, good red squirrel. People taking sides in a supposed conflict between two competing species.

Introduced by the Romans, I'd thought?

Yes, I think you're right. I was thinking of the Normans with their rabbit warrens and dovecotes, both set up to provide a stable food supply for the ruling classes. Point is, very few people get het up that the rabbit is non native to the British Isles — as indeed is Homo sapiens depending on when you choose to place the arbitrary cut off date for "native".

 

[maximus otter]

Yes, but I have not heard city dwellers going on and on about the rabbit not being native, or the hare being "better" in the way that I have heard people going on about how the "bad" non-native grey squirrel is forcing out "our" native, good red squirrel. People taking sides in a supposed conflict between two competing species.

Point is, very few people get het up that the rabbit is non native to the British Isles — as indeed is Homo sapiens depending on when you choose to place the arbitrary cut off date for "native".

lt’s not an issue of “better”, it’s an issue of them not being able to coexist. You can have greys, or you can have reds, but you can’t have both.

Left unchecked, the presence of greys will end reds in the UK.

Introducing concepts of racism, jingoism and xenophobia into this is...not helpful.

maximus otter

 

[Analogue Boy]

But they are Lepers.
UK red squirrels carry 'a form of leprosy' - scientists

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37949557

 

[Kondoru]

Oh, thats very handy, thanks Aunty Beeb.

They could have had a slightly low key title

(Its Hansens Diesease, isnt it? Do we even use the term `Leprosy` these days?)

 

[Mythopoeika]

Do we even use the term `Leprosy` these days?)

Pretty much everybody.

 

[Tempest63]

But they are Lepers.
UK red squirrels carry 'a form of leprosy' - scientists

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37949557

I saw a bloke in a Cafe once with Leprosy...nigh on turned my guts. Not the actual fellah with the disease, it was the bloke behind him dipping his bread in his back.

 

[sdoig]

the brown hare isnt native either.

am i the only person who does this - if i accidentally run over a rabbit or a pheasant i think to myself 'its ok, its introduced' whereas i would probably cry if i squished a red squirrel - and indeed was very upset when i ran over a hedgehog (was on a bend at night and couldnt avoid)

 

[Tempest63]

the brown hare isnt native either.

But it is considered naturalised and is a protected species.
Whereas Rabbit is less protected and goes well in a curry or a Cacciatore.
:dinner:

 

[Trevp666]

"HOLD YOUR FIRE!"

Ministry of Defence joins fight for red squirrels at Kirkcudbright
The Ministry of Defence has stepped in to help red squirrels survive in southern Scotland.
It hopes to encourage them to return to its Kirkcudbright Training Centre - often used as a site for infantry training with live firing.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-60071380

 

[maximus otter]

"HOLD YOUR FIRE!"

Ministry of Defence joins fight for red squirrels at Kirkcudbright
The Ministry of Defence has stepped in to help red squirrels survive in southern Scotland.
It hopes to encourage them to return to its Kirkcudbright Training Centre - often used as a site for infantry training with live firing.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-60071380

To be fair, it’s an area of 7.3 square miles, so there’s room for everyone to play.

maximus otter

 

[Trevp666]

To be fair, 7.3 square miles is not a very large area when you're talking about heavy ordnance...
They have provided a handy map for visitors with only one small part labelled as 'danger area', but I have a sneaking suspicion that it relates to the entire area bordered by the heavy red line. (Also a significant amount of the nearby sea area.)

 

[ramonmercado]

They Shall Not Pass! OAPs defend Red Squirrels from the Grey menace. Vid at link.

Northumberland red squirrel survival 'down to four pensioners'​

A small group of conservationists claim to be the last line of defence for struggling red squirrel populations. Invasive grey squirrels out-compete and kill the native red species, causing their numbers to dwindle.The greys are carriers of the Squirrelpox virus, which is fatal to red squirrels, causing a slow and painful death.

Alongside conservation methods such as supplementary feeding, the team actively trap and kill grey squirrels to help save the reds.

"I passionately believe we've got to do what we can to preserve the reds, so that's why I do it," said Janet Fenwicke-Clennell, from Coquetdale Squirrel Group.

Most conservation organisations in Northumberland carry out the culling of grey squirrels themselves or allow others to do it on their land. They are classified as an invasive non-native species and it is not illegal to kill them.

Some charities believe this is cruel and say there is no excuse for killing animals to boost numbers of another species.

Video produced by Alex Challies & Jo Lonsdale.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-68899139

 

[maximus otter]

Some charities believe this is cruel and say there is no excuse for killing animals to boost numbers of another species.

Cobblers.

maximus otter

 

[ramonmercado]

Defending a Red Island against the Grey invasion.. Vid at link.

Island fights back grey squirrel invasion​

For a decade only native red squirrels lived on Wales' Anglesey island, following a massive cull of their invasive grey cousins. But now the greys are somehow getting back across the Menai Strait.

Dr Craig Shuttleworth is on a mission to stop them.

Video produced by Justin Rowlatt and Gwyndaf Hughes.

https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cnl4nrl5qlro

 

[Kondoru]

Well, Here in Famed Breadalbane, Red Squirrels are doing just fine....

...Until the public squash them.

 

[Druk]

Red squirrel feed alongside grey squirrel in Canada.

 

[maximus otter]

Red squirrel feed alongside grey squirrel in Canada.View attachment 76720

Different squirrel: Our declining native red squirrel is Sciurus vulgaris; l presume you’re talking about the American red squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus.

maximus otter

 

[Druk]

Different squirrel: Our declining native red squirrel is Sciurus vulgaris; l presume you’re talking about the American red squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus.

maximus otter

I am referring to American reds,I have a few pics of reds,greys and fox squirrel in the same frame.

 

[AmStramGram]

Last sunday a young red squirel was seen trying to enter my mother's kitchen through the (closed) window. He rammed the glass two or three times before giving up. I found it surprising that such a small and vulnerable animal would be bold enough to encroach on human territory ! His parents would surely disapprove, especially since they are often chased by the local cats, and human homes are notorious cat haunts ...

 

[catseye]

A minor digression, but it does show the - well, stupidity, of some humans towards wildlife.

I've just written a book in which a red squirrel features. It's slightly tame, captured and assumed to have been hand reared, but nobody knows. An early reader of the manuscript took exception to the fact that the main characters don't spend more time handling and cuddling the red squirrel, stroking and petting it, as 'it's what I would do'.

It's a WILD ANIMAL. She should not be 'stroking, petting or cuddling' it at all! (My main character is a wildlife ranger and is well aware how to handle non domestic animals).

People can be ridiculous, and I hope this reviewer is never anywhere near a proper 'wild animal'.

 

[Frideswide]

A minor digression, but it does show the - well, stupidity, of some humans towards wildlife.

I've just written a book in which a red squirrel features. It's slightly tame, captured and assumed to have been hand reared, but nobody knows. An early reader of the manuscript took exception to the fact that the main characters don't spend more time handling and cuddling the red squirrel, stroking and petting it, as 'it's what I would do'.

It's a WILD ANIMAL. She should not be 'stroking, petting or cuddling' it at all! (My main character is a wildlife ranger and is well aware how to handle non domestic animals).

People can be ridiculous, and I hope this reviewer is never anywhere near a proper 'wild animal'.

Early Reader = Arse

 

[catseye]

Early Reader = Arse

Most of the early reviews are very good, but you do get the odd one which tells you what you should have written. Funny how people always know how to do your job better than you do, eh?

 

[Mythopoeika]

Most of the early reviews are very good, but you do get the odd one which tells you what you should have written. Funny how people always know how to do your job better than you do, eh?

I get that all the time too.

 

[maximus otter]

0

I get that all the time too.

Join the police, mate…

maximus otter

 

[hunck]

On BBC Springwatch - red squirrels found on the Scottish island of Bute. Seems to be a mystery as to how they got there - swimming from mainland?..

 

[Druk]

On BBC Springwatch - red squirrels found on the Scottish island of Bute. Seems to be a mystery as to how they got there - swimming from mainland?..

Squirrels are good swimmers.

 

[hunck]

Squirrels are good swimmers.

According to the programme yes they can swim but they don’t generally take to water. Doesn’t look too far to the mainland though. Could’ve come across on a ferry maybe. Or someone brought some across deliberately to start a colony - maybe a resident.

 

[Druk]

According to the programme yes they can swim but they don’t generally take to water. Doesn’t look too far to the mainland though. Could’ve come across on a ferry maybe. Or someone brought some across deliberately to start a colony - maybe a resident.

Seen a grey swimming across a river before.