Red for Danger?

The UK's native Red squirrel was almost driven to extinction by the introduction of their Canadian Grey cousins. Grey squirrels are larger and out-compete the Reds. The Greys also carry Squirrel pox, a disease that has devastating consequences for the Reds. It was argued that the survival of Red squirrels could be ensured by creating plantations of large, alien pine species. The Red squirrels were said to be more efficient eaters of small-seeded pine cones than their Grey counterparts. This was enthusiatically endorsed by the Forestry Commission, who have always favoured rows of large pines. It was also advocated as a means of helping curb climate change and increasing biodiversity. Recent studies, however, suggest that Red squirrels do not thrive in such locations (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/12/conifer-plantation-push-could-threaten-red-squirrel-population-study-finds). Scientists at the Queen's University of Belfast and the University of St Andrews (Scotland) set up camera traps at 700 locations in Northern Ireland. Images of Red squirrel, Grey squirrel and Pine marten were examined over a 5 year period. The Pine marten is a squirrel predator that is also slowly recovering its numbers, after human persecution. In the large pine forests (favoured by the Forestry Commission), Red squirrels were likely to fall prey to Pine martens. In native, broadleaf woodlands, however, the Reds were relatively immune from attack, whereas the Pine martens feasted on Grey squirrels. A combination of native, broadleaf woodlands, with nearby populations of Pine marten, best encouraged Red squirrel numbers.