Lancashire's small population of red squirrels is bouncing back from the devastating impact of squirrel pox. The reds are expanding from their stronghold in the woods on the Sefton Coast. Our squirrel officers and dedicated volunteers are playing a crucial role in this success story.
Back From The Brink
.jpg "A red squirrel infected with squirrel pox. Credit - William Lee")
Just three years ago the outlook for red squirrels in the North West was bleak indeed. The squirrel pox virus, which is carried by greys but only affects reds, reached the red squirrel populaion in the Sefton Coast area, wiping out around 80%. A hard winter further reduced the population to only 15% of the pre-pox level. Since then however, the redoubtable reds have staged a spirited comeback. Numbers are back to almost 60% of spring 2002 levels.
Reds On The March
Even more exciting, there is strong evidence that red squirrels are breaking out of their stronghold in the woods near Formby and are moving into new territory. Sightings have been reported from outlying areas such as Knowsley, Rainford, Bickerstaffe, Skelmersdale and our nature reserve at Mere Sands Wood near Rufford.
None of this would have been possible without the perseverance and dedication of our volunteers and project officers. They are constantly monitoring red squirrel populations, checking on the whereabouts of grey squirrels and halting the spread of greys into areas where reds are present.
Our Red Squirrel Project Officer, Amy Campbell, said: "The results of our spring 2011 survey reinforce the conclusion drawn over the past couple of years that the red squirrel population in the coastal pinewoods continues to recover following the squirrel pox outbreak of 2008. Densities of reds look set to approach their pre-epidemic values within the next year or so." You can read the survey report in full here
Leaping Ahead
A new national project, entitled Red Squirrels Northern England, is the key to continuing the success story. Launched early in 2011 by Prince Charles, the scheme aims to establish 'strongholds' throughout the North of England, where red squirrels are safe and from where they can spread to new territory. Find out more about the project here.
In the meantime, we are committed to increasing the area of grey squirrel control to prevent the spread of squirrel pox; we're surveying all woodlands in a 25km-wide area to establish an accurate picture of the red and grey squirrel populations, and working with landowners to increase awareness of the needs of red squirrels and encourage them to manage woodland in a way that deters grey and encourages reds.
Amy added: "Overall, our aims are to prevent incursion of grey squirrels into the red squirrel reserve, establish the incursion routes and/or permanent populations of grey squirrels in the buffer zone, identify priority woodlands and carry out control of grey squirrels, and determine the impact of grey squirrel control on abundance and distribution of grey squirrel populations in the buffer zone."
Beating The Pox
New scientific research holds the key to preventing all this good work being undone by another outbreak as devastating as the one which decimated the red population in Sefton in 2008. A team from the University of Liverpool, headed by vet Tim Dale, has began research into the infection and immune status of the surviving red squirrel population in the Merseyside area. It will provide invaluable information into how the pox is transmitted and help to develop conservation strategies for red squirrels throughout the British Isles..
The initial aim of the project is to determine if the surviving red squirrels have encountered the virus and survived or simply being lucky enough to avoid it. This has involved the capture, sampling, id-chipping and release of individuals found within the Sefton Coast area. As well as red squirrels a population of grey squirrels is also studied at a site on the Wirral. The University of Liverpool is also developing a test to detect squirrel pox antibodies and the presence of viral DNA.
The project will continue for the next three to four years in order to develop detailed life histories of individual animals and their squirrel pox status. The project is funded by the Natural Environmental Research Council and the National Trust.
Want to know more? Please contact Tim Dale at t.dale@liverpool.ac.uk
How You Can Help
You can help the great red squirrel comeback by joining your local branch of Red Alert North West. Their work varies from monitoring the squirrel populations to engaging with the community at local events to helping with aspects of grey control. There are local group meetings every season so if you are interested in joining in and learning more, please email acampbell@lancswt.org.uk
Amy said: "The Red Alert North West local group volunteers are the backbone of the Red Squirrel Project. There's a small army of more than 100 volunteers and their tireless work over 10 years has ensured the continued survival of the red squirrels."
You can also help us by recording sightings of reds and greys and calling us on 07590 745862; if you see a grey, please call us immediately. Sterilising feeders used by reds and greys will help to minimise the risk of squirrel pox spreading.
