So not to turn Katherine's picture post of Chris Packham into a debate, I thought I would start one here.
I went and saw Chris Packham at Cirencester last week and what he said about Squirrels was "the cat is out of the bag" and its too late to try to control Grey Squirrels in the 'majority' of the UK. Shooting Grey Squirrels does nothing but allow more Grey Squirrels to move in. They are here to stay, so you might as well get used to it.
The previous owner to my house shot 28 Squirrels in one year here.
Do I have that many Squirrels? nope, about 2.
He did say control might be appropriate in some areas but how long could it be kept up? how much money would it take to control them?
What about the Scottish Wildcat?
I would love to see a Wildcat, I want to protect them and to have them protected but how?
Do we shoot all male pet cats from the border up?
At what point is the "point of no return"?
Where does it stop?
I dont know any of the answers, just lots of questions.
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Permalink Reply by Dan Carrington on For as long as humans have travelled over and between land masses, species have been transported, deliberately or inadvertently, from their native ranges to new, previously unoccupied, areas. Since the Neolithic, c. 6000 bp, human migrations and trade are thought to have introduced new species to many parts of the world. However, most non-native species have been introduced into the UK since approximately ad 1500, when improved marine transportation massively increased human movements between continents. In addition to augmentation of the numbers of species introduced, the modes of introduction of new species became more diverse, for example as ornamental species, accidental ‘stowaways’ aboard ships, and food species. A few recent colonists of the UK have arrived spontaneously, such as the collared dove Streptopelia decaocta and the fulmar Fulmarus glacialis, but most are thought to have been brought by humans
‘Native’ or ‘indigenous’ refers to a species or race that occurs naturally in an area , i.e. whose dispersal has occurred independently of deliberate human translocation. In general, a species or race thought to have occurred in an area since before the Neolithic can be considered to be native.
‘Non-native’, ‘non-indigenous’, ‘alien’ or ‘exotic’ refers to a species or race that does not occur naturally in an area, i.e. it has not previously occurred there, or its dispersal into the area has been mediated by humans ; It is usually assumed that species that have colonized since the Neolithic, c. 6000 bp, are non-native. In some cases, the distinction between native and non-native may not be straightforward, and often is the result of estimates of the length of time a species has been resident in the UK. For example, it not clear whether the pool frog Rana lessonae Camerano is native to the UK or has been introduced. A related issue is the distinction between non-native species introduced directly through human agency, and species colonizing through natural range expansion such as the fulmar Fulmarus glacialis. Because such species have colonized ‘naturally’, they could be considered as desirable additions to UK biodiversity. However, in some cases apparently natural colonization may have been facilitated by changes in the environment brought about by human activity.
‘Introduction’ is the deliberate or accidental release by human agency of an organism(s) into the wild by humans in areas where the species or race is not native. The term applies to translocations within the UK or into the UK from other countries.
‘The wild’ is defined as any conditions in which organisms can disperse to other sites or can breed with individuals from other populations.
‘Naturalised’ refers to a non-native species or race that, following escape or release, has become established in the wild in self-maintaining populations.
‘Feral’ is an organism (or its descendants) that has been kept in domestication, captivity (animals) or cultivation (plants) but which, following escape or release, now lives in the wild state. However, populations are not necessarily self-maintaining.
It is not certain exactly how many non-native species are present within the UK.
Although the evidence suggests that only a small proportion of non-native species cause adverse effects, the risk of damage in some cases makes a precautionary approach advisable. Of added concern are the possible future effects of non-native species. The general decline in UK biodiversity (declines in species number and abundance, disruption and loss of semi-natural communities, habitat loss and fragmentation, etc.) may render ecosystems more susceptible to adverse effects of introductions of non-native species in the future. Climate change may bring about more specific increases in the risks from non-native introductions, as conditions become better suited to introduced species that are not currently affecting biodiversity to a great degree. For example, predicted rises in temperature may permit many species to increase their ranges.
The biodiversity of the UK should not be the only concern. For example, the main threat from the ruddy duck Oxyura jamaicensis is that it hybridizes with the white-headed duck Oxyura leucocephala (Scopoli), which is not found in the UK but is a native species of conservation interest in continental Europe. However, the UK still has the largest ruddy duck population (an order of magnitude larger than that on continental Europe) and is the major source of colonists into Europe. Likewise, the New Zealand flatworm Artioposthia triangulata might spread from the UK to other European countries, where it could have great effects on native biodiversity. It is therefore important to develop effective control strategies that can be used if necessary.
There have been relatively few successful control/eradication programmes against problem species (see below), and certainly not against species targeted solely because of their negative impacts on biodiversity. Control measures are generally not implemented until a species becomes a problem, by which stage they are very expensive and require extensive research into the ecological, economic and political aspects of the problem. More proactive approaches would be more effective.) states that many problem species of naturalized mammals have been expensive to eradicate or control and, indeed, most attempts to remove such introduced species have failed. For example, the attempt to eradicate mink Mustela vison Schreber in the UK was abandoned in 1970 after only 5 years. Research into the control of rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus L. found no successful or acceptable means of wide-scale control. Myxomatosis appeared to be a method for the complete extermination of the rabbit, but some individuals survived infection and, following an initial crash, population numbers have recovered. The coypu Myocastor coypus and muskrat Ondatra zibethicus L. were eradicated by control programmes following assessments of the effort required, the costs involved and the likely chances of success . Control was only possible because populations were confined to reasonably small areas of Britain with no immigration from elsewhere (unlike mink and rabbits). Moreover, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) provided sufficient funds for the eradication of coypu because of the agricultural damage being caused rather than to prevent ecological damage.
A variety of methods has been used in attempts to control the Canada goose Branta canadensis in the UK, but all present problems . Egg collection is time consuming. Poisoning would be very effective but would be unpopular with the general public on a large scale. Increased shooting on wintering grounds could be used, but Canada geese are not popular targets for shooters. In addition, geese are often concentrated in protected areas. Wildfowling on such legally protected sites is seen as a potentially damaging operation. While existing levels of shooting activity are likely to be acceptable as they are in accordance with traditional practice, any increase would contravene the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Control of the ruddy duck Oxyura jamaicensis is a more urgent priority, as it is still spreading and the threat to the white-headed duck Oxyura leucocephala is severe . National and international working groups have called for its control. However, while some organizations have proposed that shooting during the breeding season would be a viable method, others dispute this . A White-headed Duck Task Force, comprising UK government departments and conservation organizations, has recommended that a trial of methods to control ruddy duck, including shooting and trapping, should be initiated .
Control of plants is also problematical. Rhododendron ponticum control would require large-scale clearance, followed by spraying of regrowth. An estimate of the cost of a rhododendron control programme in the Snowdonia National Park by suggested that the initial clearance and follow-up spraying programmes would cost about £42 million (1992 prices). Dispersal of another non-native invasive plant, the giant hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum Somm. Et Lev., is almost entirely by seed and so a control programme would need to prevent plants setting seed. Due to extensive seed banks and possible long-term viability of seeds, any control programme would need to have follow-up monitoring and control for at least 7 years after the initial control measures using herbicide or cutting. The plant could be eradicated if a committed and co-ordinated control programme, using appropriate techniques, was implemented. Effective control of Japanese knotweed Fallopia japonica requires that rhizomes, as well as individual plants, are killed. There are very few examples of eradication of this plant, and successful control requires perseverance.
Permalink Reply by Keith Renouf on Hi Gareth,
Sounds like you have got a lot going on in your mind; I have a small woodland within my garden which is inundated with grey squirrel. They have overtaken the bird feeders in the garden from dawn to dusk. I have the facilities to shoot them but it it is not my nature to "KILL",( only clay pigeon!). Everyone I speak to says "live with it", they are here to stay. Infact what I have said is exactly what Chris Packham has stated. If you look up how the disease is spreading from grey to red squirrel; I think the red species sadly has no chance.
I only wish I had two Squirrel!!!!
Rgards Keith.
Permalink Reply by Martin Bailey on Hi Keith,
Just found your discussion with Gareth. There are other reasons to control grey squirrels, apart from their effect on red squirrels. Because of their high density, grey squirrels compete for food with many of our native species, as well as predating birds' eggs and nestlings. Keeping their numbers down helps to reduce this impact, and has the added benefit that grey squirrels are very tasty!!
Incidentally, the reason grey squirrels were introduced was because people thought it would be nice to have 2 species of squirrel - unfortunately, except in defended areas, we're likely to end up with just the grey squirrel!!
Regards,
Martin.
Permalink Reply by Keith Renouf on Hi Martin,
The squirrels are back but very few so far, I' not sure how I can control them unless I call in a local pest controller. One thing I did notice is for the squirrel to get from one wood to another they have to cross open land. This year we have many more fox one being a very large completely black and aggressive male. Also we have three Muntjac patrolling the area. I am to near to the road to use 12g or .22 not that I would.
Regards
Keith.
Permalink Reply by Martin Bailey on Hi Keith,
There are only two ways to control them: shooting or trapping. For effective control I would recommend cage-trapping. This is how grey squirrels were removed from Anglesey, and it is very effective. You just need to be prepared to despatch the squirrel when you have caught it, and release any other species caught. Incidentally, when you have caught a grey squirrel it is illegal to release it, as it is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).
Crossing open ground is not a problem for a grey squirrel, which is why no red squirrel is safe. There are grey squirrels in Italy, and when they get through the Alps they will colonise mainland Europe and wipe out the red squirrels, possible completely!!
Regards,
Martin, Wildlife & Countryside Services
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