A Red Alert: Grey Squirrels Tighten Grip on Britain’s Woodland Haven
The iconic red squirrel, a British treasure since the last ice age, is facing a formidable challenge in its traditional homeland: the relentless advance of its larger grey cousin.
A recent survey by the Red Squirrels Northern England (RSNE) group paints a concerning picture. While red squirrels are holding on in some areas, grey squirrels are expanding their territory at an alarming rate.
“When you look at the data coming in from other places it’s fairly clear that grey squirrel numbers have rocketed this year and red squirrel numbers, at best, are static," said Ian Glendinning, chair of the Northumberland branch of Northern Red Squirrels.
The survey, which monitored over 250 sites across northern England, found grey squirrels present in 69% of locations, a significant jump from 62% the previous year. Red squirrels, while still present in 52% of sites, are seeing essentially no growth in their range.
This surge in grey squirrel numbers is particularly worrisome because their breeding season is lengthening due to the impacts of climate change. "I do feel we are fighting a losing battle, albeit slowly,” Glendinning admitted. He fears local extinction of red squirrels in England and Wales before novel solutions, like chemical interventions, become available in the distant future.
Their native origin has made red squirrels a beloved symbol of Britain, conjuring up cherished childhood memories of Beatrix Potter’s Squirrel Nutkin or the Tufty Club. In contrast, grey squirrels, first introduced from America in the 19th century as a novelty, are considered one of the world’s most harmful invasive species, ranking 85th on the "world’s worst invasive alien species" list according to the IUCN Global Invasive Species Database.
Abbie McQueen, RSNE’s project officer, remains hopeful. “The substantial increase in grey squirrel presence once again this year is concerning, however we are not disheartened and hope it can help build a case for further funding and support for red squirrels in areas that need it. We can also confirm that red squirrel detection is remaining stable, indicating that they are retaining their range and all the conservation effort is successfully protecting our populations.”
While red squirrel populations cling on in pockets of Britain, the battle for survival against the ever-expanding grey squirrels rages on, underscoring the fragility of native ecosystems in the face of invasive species. The fate of these beloved woodland beautifiers hangs in the balance.
