SquirrelWeb

Elly Hamilton and Sue Hearn

Launched in August 2000 and managed by the Southern Uplands Partnership, the Red Squirrels in South Scotland project covers the Borders and Dumfries & Galloway regions, and works in parallel to similar initiatives in the north of England. By presenting a united front covering south Scotland from coast to coast, the Red Squirrels in South Scotland project has established a greater understanding of red squirrel population distribution through extensive monitoring, promoted and encouraged appropriate habitat management and put in place measures to halt or reduce the invasion of grey squirrels into red squirrel strongholds. These goals have been achieved by working closely with the public, landowners, foresters, estate managers and local conservation bodies.

One of the biggest achievements of the project over the last 3 years has been the identification of 25 woodlands, which have real potential for red squirrel conservation in the long-term. It is now considered vital that the experience gained to date is applied to ensure that these ‘Priority Woodlands’ are managed to maximise their medium/long term suitability for reds and that measures are put in place to prevent the incursion of the grey squirrel into these areas.

Funding is in place until October 2005 during which time detailed guidance documents for each of the Priority Woodlands setting out ideal management objectives will be created and developed with landowners and forest managers to create working documents. The local community (where possible) will be involved in active red squirrel conservation through the provision of interactive presentations, slideshows, training days, outdoor events and classroom based activities. Teachers in 20 primary schools across southern Scotland and in proximity to the Priority Woodlands will be provided with a ‘nut case’ full of activities, support materials and a ‘virtual red squirrel walk’ video. A paper version of this pack will also be available to primary schools across the two regions.

The project also aims to identify, develop and promote sites for nature-based tourism, through the provision of interpretation, viewing stations and information leaflets for visitors to South Scotland. Local accommodation businesses will be given the opportunity to become involved in a number of ways with the aim of enhancing local businesses, raising the quality of a visitors’ experience of the area and also raising general awareness.

For further information on the Red Squirrels in South Scotland project please contact one of the project officers or check out the project website on www.red-squirrels.org.uk

Elly Hamilton, Red Squirrel Conservation Officer for the Borders, Studio 2, Lindean Mill, Galashiels, Selkirkshire, TD1 3PE, Tel: 01750 23446

Sue Hearn, Red Squirrel Conservation Officer for Dumfries & Galloway, c/o SOSWH, Barony College, Parkgate, Dumfries, DG1 3NE Tel: 01387 860 442

M. Laura Guichón writes:

“In 2003, I began studying the invasion dynamics of an alien mammal in Argentina: the Red-Bellied Beautiful Squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus). Less than five individuals of this arboreal species, native to South-east Asia, were liberated in the Pampas region, Argentina, in 1973. Initial questionnaire surveys have suggested that its distribution in this region is currently restricted to a 15 km radius from the release point. It is still in a slow phase of establishment, though showing increasing signs of more rapid expansion. Economic costs have already been reported by local inhabitants (losses to fruit and timber plantations and damage to coaxial cables and PVC installations), who demand the implementation of control actions to prevent further damage.

“In fulfilment of a UNESCO-L’Oréal Fellowship, I have come to England for one year to work with Dr. C. Patrick Doncaster. We are currently developing analytical and simulation models to predict the invasion dynamics of the Red-Bellied Squirrel in the Pampas region. My overall objective is to identify the specific habitats favouring the invasion process, and to propose management options to control the spread of the species.”

M. Laura Guichón, School of Biological Sciences’ University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 7PX United Kingdom. Tel. +44 23 8059 4396.

Luc Wauters, Heidi Hauffe, Guido Tosi and Sandro Bertolino

The Eurasian red squirrel has become extinct or very rare in those parts of its distribution range invaded by the introduced Eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), which, in northern Italy, has reached the Prealpine forests. Red squirrels are still found throughout the extensive alpine conifer forests. Models based on spatial distribution and population dynamics suggest that red squirrels might persist in large tracts of conifer forest, and that alpine populations might constitute a stronghold against spreading grey squirrels. Although natural alpine conifer forests are likely to present the major area in northern Italy and Central Europe where red squirrels can survive on the long-term, no data exist on squirrel demography, social organisation and habitat use in these habitats. Therefore, this project aims to study: annual variation in conifer seed production, as primary food resource; population size and habitat preference using hair-tube surveys; annual variation in population densities and the underlying demographic processes; and habitat use and spacing behaviour in different forest types.

The main objectives of the study are:

1. Monitoring annual variation in conifer seed production of larch and spruce, as a measure of food availability for red squirrels, and the rate of seed consumption by squirrels and other seed predators;
2. Monitoring population size and habitat preference using hair-tube surveys;
3. Critical analysis of the use of hair-tubes to develop a reliable population density index;
4. Studying annual variation in squirrel density and of the demographic processes (survival, reproduction, dispersal) using capture-mark-recapture and radio-telemetry;
5. Studying habitat use and spacing behaviour (home range size, home range use and core-area overlap) in relation to (seasonal changes in) food availability in the different forest types.

Actually red squirrels are being studied in six study sites that differ in forest composition and elevation:

These studies are funded by different local bodies: The Province of Sondrio, Hunting and Fishing Service; The Region of Lombardy, “Project Multifunctional Use of Forests”; and the Gran Paradiso National Park. Several scientific institutes and NGO’s are collaborating, and take part at the fieldwork in a subset of study sites: Department of Structural and Functional Biology, University of Insubria, Varese (Italy); Oikos Institute, Varese (Italy); FaunaViva, Rho (Italy); Department of Entomology and Applied Zoology, University of Turin (Italy); Department of Biology, UIA, University of Antwerp (Belgium).

SquirrelWeb has been relaunched, bigger, better and more squirrelly than ever! Additions include the new FAQ, Gallery and Equipment pages and an all-new look and feel.

Be sure to check the About page to see how you can help! We especially want questions for the FAQpage and pictures for the Gallery to get them rolling!

Goedele Verbeylen

Dispersal and population dynamics of red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris L. 1758) in highly fragmented woodlands

(Supervisor : Prof. Dr. Erik Matthysen, co-supervisor : Dr. Luc Wauters)

Red squirrels are typical inhabitants of North and Central Europe’s large forests. In large parts of Western Europe though, their habitat is strongly fragmented. A central hypothesis in the study of habitat fragmentation is that increasing isolation of habitat fragments decreases dispersal between them. In small populations this can lead to local extinction, compensated or not by later recolonization, and a higher degree of inbreeding. Until now this hypothesis is supported mainly by indirect studies (correlative research). To gain more insight in the functioning of squirrel populations in forest fragments, an intensive study on dispersal and population dynamics started in 1994 in a fragmented landscape where woodlands occur as small patches. The Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris L. 1758) is used as study species, because it’s density is not too high to mark all animals in the population and because fragmentation is known to affect the dynamics of small populations. The study area is an archipelago of woodland fragments situated in the province of Antwerp (Belgium), that contains 58 woodlands (between 0.08 and 57 ha, with only 15 > 3.5 ha) covering 6.5 % of the total area. These woodland fragments have different size, shape and tree species composition and are connected (in different degrees) by tree- and hedgerows. Squirrels were (re)captured bimonthly in all fragments. They got a transponder (for individual recognition, were weighed, sexed, aged, sexual status was noted, hind feet were measured and a skin sample was taken. This provides data on condition, reproduction, fluctuating asymmetry and population structure. To get information on home ranges and dispersal, each squirrel was radio-tracked once or twice a fortnight (and every 1 or 2 days for juveniles and dispersing adults). This was done by foot, car or, if necessary, by helicopter, depending on how far the squirrels dispersed. Microsatellite DNA fingerprinting will be used to study parenthood (to determine the origin of new squirrels that come into the population) and genetic diversity of local populations. Food abundance was estimated.

Louise Magris The suburban nature of Jersey means that the Island’s population is heavily supplementary fed by the general public. We are using CCTV observations of a feeding station together and live trapping of free-living wild squirrels in the area to assess social behaviour and the potential for disease transmission through countermarking.

Canolfan Beaumaris, Anglesey, Wales
18th September 2004

This will be hosted by the Friends of the Anglesey Red Squirrels on Saturday, 18 September 2004 in Canolfan Beaumaris, Anglesey, 9:30am – 5:00pm. The conference will be an excellent opportunity for everyone with an interest in red squirrels in Wales and beyond to get together and discuss some of the recent develpments in red squirrel conservation. Further information can be found on the Friends website www.redsquirrels.info

Richard Grogan

Wight Wildlife undertook a survey of woodland on the Isle of Wight over 1 ha to determine the presence of common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) and red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). This survey was possible through the generous contributions of English Nature and the Mammals Trust UK.

Both species are nationally rare mammals protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). The common dormouse is further protected by the Habitats Directive 1994. The survey repeated a previous survey of red squirrels in 1996/97 as well as visiting more sites and sub-dividing some sites, due to the relatively sedentary habits of the dormouse compared to the red squirrel. As a result the total number of woodland sites visited in 2003 was 284 compared to 249 in 1997.

Woodlands

Size – although each woodland was over 1 ha, the range was large with the largest being Parkhurst Forest (402ha). The size range was: < 5ha – 98 woods (37%), >5ha to <10 ha – 97 (37%), >10ha to <20ha – 35 (13%), >20ha to <50ha – 47 (9%), >50ha to <100ha – 12 (2%), >100 ha – 8 (2%) Character – a number of characteristics were recorded of the woods themselves and these are recorded below. No sites were considered to be purely coniferous, and oak and hazel were found more commonly than other species. Broadleaved species: oak 27.7%, hazel 26.4%, beech 11.3%, sweet chestnut 6.0%; Coniferous species: Scots pine 7.1%, Other pine spp. 9.2%, Other conifer 12.2%.

Mammal Species

Of the 284 woodland blocks surveyed in 2002/03, 243 (86%) woodlands had red squirrels present, and of those: 64 (23%) woodlands had squirrels only. 194 (68%) woodlands had common dormouse present and of those, 11 (4%) woodlands had dormice only. 24 (8%)woodland had neither species present. In 1996/97 of the 249 woodlands surveyed : 71% of woodlands had red squirrels. In the 2003 survey 78 woods were found that did not have squirrels in 1997 indicating a healthy population in the intervening time.

Of the 24 woodland that did not have either species present: 10 (42%) had no species of tree to provide signs ie no pines or hazel, 58% were under 5 ha compared with 37% for the complete survey. Of these woodlands : oak was found in 83% (27.7% in full survey), hazel in 54% (26.4% in the full survey) and beech in 42% (11.3% in the full survey)

Conclusion

The red squirrel was ubiquitous in Isle of Wight woodlands being found in 86% of sites surveyed, regardless of species content or size. However wood pasture and beech dominated woodland seem to be sub-optimal but these would require further research. The common dormouse was found in 69% of Island woodland and reflected the distribution of hazel understorey in local woodlands. This is not surprising as the presence of hazel was the main method of finding signs of dormouse presence. The common dormouse was found in a great variety of habitats on the Isle of Wight and was by no means restricted to woodland habitats.

Contact: Richard Grogan, Wight Wildlife Officer, Wight Wildlife, 2 High Street, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 1S. Tel/Fax : 01983 533180, Email : 

Clare Tattoni

Red squirrels beware

A recently discovered population of the North American grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), introduced to Ticino Park, Lombardy (N Italy), is likely to spread into continuous prealpine broadleaf forests of Lombardy and the south of Switzerland. The replacement of red by grey squirrels that is taking place in Piedmont, northern Italy, does not only have serious implications for red squirrel conservation in Italy, but also for the whole of Europe.

We used Spatially Explicit Population Dynamics Models, successfully used to predict the spread of grey squirrels in England and Piedmont, Italy, to examine the effects of different control scenarios on grey squirrel expansion in a 20000 km2 area around Ticino Park, Lombardy.

Patch occupancy by grey squirrels in 2001, according to field survey

All the runs started from the situation known in year 2001 and forecasted squirrel population dynamics for the following 40 years. Without control, grey squirrels will invade Switzerland within the next two decades, and, concomitantly, the size and distribution of local populations of native red squirrels will be reduced. Simulating different grey squirrel control or removal scenarios suggests that: (i) efficient control is possible and mainly determined by the spatial distribution and woodland size of the `target’ control areas; and (ii) immediate actions must be taken. Delay in grey squirrel control will result in the population growth and spread, which will make the problems of successful containment more difficult and eventually impossible.

The coupled use of SEPM and GIS proved to be a useful tool in conservation as it allowed us to test the effectiveness of different control strategies, including the no action option, providing wildlife managers with maps showing the consequences of each strategy. Control maps analysis allowed use to identify the best cost/effective action control plan to prevent the spread of the invasive grey squirrels. Those maps, theoretically, could already be used on the field to place traps.

However caution must be used, as model scenarios were based on surveys that may underestimate the real distribution range and current population size of grey squirrels. In addition no information was available about the presence of the species outside the park boundaries, and this will have to be addressed.

For all these reasons our predictions can be conservative and we suggest a combination of grey squirrel monitoring and public participation survey to map grey squirrel presence, which may also help increase public awareness. Moreover future surveys can be used to improve model performance and to test the reliability of our predictions. Successful containment of further grey squirrel spread will require local co-operation between Italian and Swiss authorities involved in wildlife management. Without control, grey squirrels will invade Switzerland within the next two decades, and, concomitantly, the size and distribution of local populations of native red squirrels will be reduced.

Contraction of red squirrels. Different colours represent predicted densities (no/ha). Pictures show the output at 10 year intervals. a) year 2011; b) year 2021; c) year 2031; d) year 2041.

Simulation of the spread of grey squirrels. Different colours represent the predicted densities (no/ha) at 10 year intervals. a) year 2011; b) year 2021; c) year 2031; d) year 2041.

Istituto Oikos, ONG Vareses, Italy carried out the research for Parco Regionale della Valle del Ticino Lombardo. Guido Tosi was the Prof. in charge. fauna.dipbsf.uninsubria.it/

Luciana Conde

In this work (September 2002 – October 2003), on the patterns of behaviour of Guianan squirrels, S. aestuans, resident in small fragments of forest, two reproductive periods were observed, one in the spring and the other in the autumn. A stable temporal pattern of behaviours was seen, and individuals spent most of their time in feeding, followed by storing food, rest, and interaction. The analysis of observed social interactions revealed two patterns during the year: the first was mainly characterized by friendly relationships from September to April, while the second, from May to August was less harmonious. The observed diet was classified into nine categories: (1) fruit endosperm; (2) fruit pulp; (3) lichens; (4) dry leaves; (5) insects; (6) fruit offered by park wardens to birds; (7) bryophytes; (8) mushrooms and (9) other. In an analysis of preference, the fruit endosperm category presented the largest daily proportion in the summer, whereas fruit pulp was used more in the winter. The food items most used in the diet of S. aestuans they were Syagrus pseudococos (Family Arecaceae – palms, native), S. ruschiana, S. romanzoffiana, Polyandrococos caudensis (Arecaceae, native), Levistona chinensis (Arecaceae, exotic) and Eryobotrya japonica (Rosaceae, exotic). The results of this work indicate fewer food resources were used compared to other studies. The squirrels used 18 nests in the study area, all close to the food resources. The data obtained in this study show that S. aestuans is a generalist that is tolerant of forest fragmentation.

Contacts Addresses: Rua Coronel Constantino Cunha, 2002- Centro- São Mateus- Esp. Santo – Brazil Tel.: (81-8858-2230 ou 81-32710100) email:  ou