Grey squirrel management

[GarethM]

19 minutes ago, Stere said:

Do you have  a list of what useful  species of trees they don't like to eat?

Just shoot the bloody things and plant native.

 

Is a cart backwards argument to not plant native because of a non native pest.

[Stere]

Well that would be nice in an ideal world but seems like pissing in the wind esp with  the atittude of most  landowners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GarethM]

1 minute ago, Stere said:

Well that would be nice in an ideal world but seems like pissing in the wind esp with the attitude of most  landowners.

I dunno, I certainly make up for it locally.

 

But to be honest I don't think there are any trees that are resistant to greys, as it's primarily saplings that attract attention initially same with deer.

 

I look at it as native tree will feed a red or a grey, but a non native would probably only feed a grey when a sizable tree so a negative long term for the reds.

[Muddy42]

This podcast about eradicating grey squirrels from Aberdeen city centre is fascinating

47 Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels: A Conversation with James Kennedy

PODCASTS.APPLE.COM

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Podcast Episode · The Outdoor Gibbon · 30/09/2024 · 1h 30m

 

[GarethM]

24 minutes ago, Muddy42 said:

This podcast about eradicating grey squirrels from Aberdeen city centre is fascinating

47 Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels: A Conversation with James Kennedy

PODCASTS.APPLE.COM

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Podcast Episode · The Outdoor Gibbon · 30/09/2024 · 1h 30m

 

They were advertising for a job the other month, the reds have wised up to a free meal.

[Muddy42]

45 minutes ago, GarethM said:

They were advertising for a job the other month, the reds have wised up to a free meal.

 

Ah yes I see that.

 

If you are interested listen to the podcast. I'm not sure if james Kennedy is the architect of the scheme or just carrying out orders but the eradication policy had to adapt and evolve and was pretty cunning by the end.  They set up a whole process for reporting sightings of grey squirrels, baited open traps to attract visitors and then constantly moving the traps around to new areas.  The traps were alarmed to send a text message when something was caught and the open baited traps took hair samples to identify the visitors. The last grey squirrel was seen in early 2024.  There is a lot on the podcast about what next or what happens if a few greys survive or return?

 

Clearly a much more sophisticated approach is needed that just setting a couple of traps and waiting for a highly intelligent animal like the squirrel to eradicate itself. 

 

 

[GarethM]

I'll give it a listen later.

 

I'm involved with a mink project myself, so maybe similar setup with monitored text message traps, DNA samples etc.

 

Problem with squirrels is location and idiots thinking you're doing something wrong, limits where and who you can both trust and deal with.

 

I've had to explain to the mink lot many times, I don't want anyone to notice the trap, zero dark and dirty almost clandestine.

[Paul in the woods]

7 hours ago, GarethM said:

But to be honest I don't think there are any trees that are resistant to greys, as it's primarily saplings that attract attention initially same with deer.

 

It may depend on your local tree rats but I've not had greys go for saplings, more young trees 20+ years old. 

 

It can be useful to know what they go for, not just natives, I would avoid planting some trees unless you can guarantee long term control. Although I try my best, last year various things cropped up and the greys did quite a bit of damage - they move in from surrounding properties where they are not controlled and actively fed. I have seen some suggestions to plant something they love as a sacrificial crop.

 

What I have found is as follows. This might change, damage can be quite variable year to year. Other people may have different experiences.

 

Trees badly affected, some trees almost completely stripped.

 

Hornbeam

Oak

Beech

Sycamore

Field maple

Other maples such as silver leaf.

Bird cherry (Not every year but some years quite a bit of damage to some trees).

 

Trees sometimes attacked:

 

Hazel (just the odd branch on the odd tree among many hundreds)

 

Trees left be:

 

Ash (mostly, I've had a couple with a bit of damage)

Cherry

Lime, small and large

Alder

Blackthorn

Hawthorn

Goat willow

Apple (I could be tempting fate with this).

Pines etc. (If I was planting up a new squirrel proof woodland I'd avoid things like Scots pine as it offers too much food and protection for the greys to hide in before moving out to harm other trees.

 

[htb]

Have got a saluki/whippet cross, he has caught a couple this year.

[Stere]

Thanks for the list as I couldn't find  any info online about resistant species.. only the ones they eat

 

I bet eucs are resistant also maybe?

 

How about the  conifers with thicker bark.....like cedars

 

As for apples seem some in  a garden where  RED sqirrels have  ring barked them....

 

 

Management of grey squirrels - Forest Research

WWW.FORESTRESEARCH.GOV.UK

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Develop cost effective methods of managing grey squirrels. Investigate the impact of grey squirrels on woodland...

 

From above
 

Quote

 

 

Wind snap to 40-year-old Norway spruce following grey squirrel bark-stripping damage

 

 

 

Quote

Typically beech and sycamore trees are most severely damaged, however serious damage can occur on a wide range of tree species, including oak, birch, larch, pines and Norway spruce.

 

 

Might also explain some of the snapped off spruce i noticed I  assumed it was just the  wind.....