Red Squirrels at Formby

[Max]

, Ah it was early doors, and I was walking the dog, thank God he was on his lead

Speed of Dogs when they chasing them!

Red alert: Saving the squirrel

The red squirrel is being killed by its grey cousin. Should we intervene?

Imagine the tiger vanishing from India, or the giant panda disappearing from China. The red squirrel has the same iconic status in England, say those who want to save it. Losing the small, tufty creature that inspired Beatrix Potter to invent Squirrel Nutkin would diminish the soul of the nation, they say, as well as being an ecological disaster.


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Just like human Americans, they want to take over!

Awww just like at the little shy fella nothing like his grey counter part who'll come up to you for food.

[Paul D]

Nice photees Paul mate Did u get down to the beach?

No it was a bit too cold but I did get some Autumn pics of the pinewoods.

[Kev]

Very nice Paul, cheers

[Max]

Nice but no Squirrals.

[lindylou]

Beautiful photos - I love the pine woods in the autumn.

[FKoE]

Speed of Dogs when they chasing them!

Mine goes mad for next doors cat , God help me if he went after a foxy

[Kev]

If it stays cold this weekend, at trip back might be on the cards

[Howie]

£1 million drive launched to save the red squirrel

The biggest drive undertaken to save Britain's native red squirrels from extinction is being launched.

The £1m strategy will focus on carefully-selected red squirrel reserves in forests in Cumbria, Yorkshire, Merseyside and Northumbria.
The species has been declining since American grey squirrels were introduced in the 19th Century, spreading illness and out-competing them for food.
Experts say they now out-number reds by 66 to 1.
The North of England Red Squirrel Conservation Strategy is being launched by Red Alert North England, which is made up of wildlife trusts, the Forestry Commission and landowners.
The woodland areas chosen as reserves will be managed to support healthy populations of the creatures but will be less well suited to the larger grey squirrels.
Targeted grey squirrel control will take place in 'buffer zones' surrounding the reserves to protect the reds.
It is hoped the reserves will cancel out the grey squirrel's natural competitive advantage. Richard Pow, chair of Red Alert North England, said the new approach was the result of years of scientific research and hands-on experience.
He said: "All the major partners have been involved in developing this new approach to red squirrel conservation.
"We will be combining their resources and expertise to try to ensure that this extraordinary creature survives in England into the next century."
Previous efforts to safeguard red squirrel populations – characterised mainly by ad-hoc culling of grey squirrels – have proved largely unsuccessful.
Mike Pratt, chief executive of Northumberland Wildlife Trust, said public interest in an concern for red squirrels was at an all-time high and that hundreds of thousands of people came to Northumberland hoping to see the 'iconic species' in the wild.
"It is fair to say they are one of the country's best-loved native mammals," he added.

17 November 2005

Source: Lakeland Today

[Howie]

Plan to control grey squirrels
Jan 22 2006

Grey squirrel populations are to be controlled under a Government action plan.

The move aims to focus on areas where the animals are damaging woodland and preventing red squirrels from becoming established.

Environment Minister Jim Knight said: "Many people love grey squirrels, but the reality is that they are a real problem for some of our most threatened native species, like the red squirrel and dormouse.

"It is not realistic, practical or even desirable to completely eradicate grey squirrels - but we must control them effectively now, or there will be serious consequences.

"Grey squirrels threaten woodland management through damage to trees and woodlands and by squeezing out red squirrels and possible other wildlife like woodland birds.

"We have seen in projects such as Red Alert North England, how active intervention, control and protection can ensure the safety and expansion of the red squirrel.

"Through humane and targeted pest control in the areas where this damage is most critical, local woodland and wildlife managers - with the full backing and expertise of the Forestry Commission, will be able to control and contain these threats and preserve or rebalance some of our native ecology."

The grey squirrel was introduced into this country from North America in the nineteenth century and has spread widely, especially in lowland areas, with a population now estimated at more than two million.

They are regarded as pests by a number of groups because of the damage they cause to woodland.

Source: icLiverpool

[Howie]

New weapon in war to save red squirrels from grey virus
Mar 13 2006
By Tomi Ajayi Daily Post Correspondent



NEW moves to preserve Formby's red squirrel population by sterilising grey squirrels have been proposed.

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[Max]

That Squirral looks like it's doing ninja style on that pic when he's jumping.

[Kev]

Endangered red squirrels have been thrown a £600,000 lifeline.

The money has been awarded to the Northumberland Wildlife Trust (NWT) which has set up nature reserves providing habitats for the shy animals. Red squirrels are facing extinction and the money will be spent on protecting dwindling numbers in Cumbria, the Yorkshire Dales and Merseyside.

Visitors to selected forest sites will also be able to take advantage of new viewing hides, web cams and educational displays.

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[Max]

The squirrals can get a pimped up refuge now.

[Howie]

Bug may wipe out red squirrels
Jul 19 2006
By Emma Gunby And Graham Davies, Daily Post

A DEADLY virus could wipe out Merseyside's rare red squirrels, an expert warned last night.

The warning came after vets confirmed a red squirrel had died from the squirrel pox virus in Ainsdale which is carried by the more common grey squirrels but does not affect them.

The red squirrel has no immunity to the disease.

Steve White, conservation officer at the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, said: "It is very worrying, but the discovery of this disease is not always disastrous and we hope we will be able to contain it.

The dead squirrel was found in a back garden a few miles from the National Trust red squirrel reserve at Formby Point.

Conservationists are monitoring the situation and calling for the humane culling of grey squirrels to stop an epidemic. They are asking members of the public to contact them if they spot grey squirrels in their gardens, as well as sick or dead red squirrels.

And they are urging people who feed red squirrels in their gardens to stop doing so, or to disinfect feeding equipment daily to try to stop the spread of disease.

An outbreak of the virus in Ince Blundell, near Crosby, two years ago killed about 50 of the 1,500 red squirrel population.

Mr White said: "If this thing gets hold of the red squirrel population, it will kill them - and kill them very quickly. Our only hope is to get in and get rid of the grey squirrels as quickly as possible."

Grey squirrels outnumber reds by 66 to one.Formby was made a national red squirrel refuge in September.

The other two national refuges are Spadeadam in Keilder Forest and Oasis Holiday Village, Penrith. ¦ ANYONE who spots a sick or dying red squirrel should call wildlife officers on 0151 920 3769.

graham.davies@dailypost.co.uk

Source: icLiverpool

[Howie]

We're right to defend red squirrels by killing greys
Aug 4 2006
By Jessica Shaughnessy Daily Post Staff



CHAMPIONS of Formby's red squirrel last night dismissed an expert's advice to stop culling nuisance greys.

New research claims millions of pounds are being wasted on conservation schemes to save red squirrels.

It's co-author, Professor Stephen Harris, of Bristol University, said a "losing battle" is being fought and nature should be allowed to take its course.

But last night, Andrew Brockbank, property manager at Formby's National Trust estate, one which has 1,000 red squirrels, said conservationists should not be so "defeatist".

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