On my walk ... the grey squirrel

 


You do not have to walk far around the parks and paths of Sidmouth town to encounter one of these little chaps; it is, of course, a grey squirrel [Sciuurus carolinensis]. Indeed, I do not actually have to walk at all to encounter them, I can watch them from my window. It is such fun to see them bounding across the lawns always in a hurry,  it is interesting to watch their territorial disputes and family arguments and at this time of year it is enchanting to watch them with a chestnut in their mouth looking for a 'secret' place to bury it. 

Some people love them, some even feed them. Others hate them and abhor the way they raid bird feeders and steal what is meant for robins and blue tits despite the barriers that may be put in their way, they are known for being intelligent and resourceful creatures. Love them or hate them, they seem to have become part of our 'natural' fauna.

I am sure we all know that the grey squirrel is not a native species to the British Isles. It originates from the  eastern region of North America (hence the scientific name of carolinensis. It was introduced to the parks and gardens here around the turn of the 19th century and in the hundred or more years since then they have spread to just about every corner of the country.

The problem with the grey squirrel is that it has a similar habitat preference to the native red squirrel and is bigger and stronger and so out competes our species forcing them out. However, an even bigger problem is that they grey squirrel has brought with it a virus to which it has a degree of immunity but, sadly, the red squirrel has no immunity to it and the virus has devastated the red's population.

Redressing the imbalance cause by human 'ignorance' has become one of nature conversation's major priorities as, in addition to the other problems it has caused, the grey squirrel is doing significant damage to woodlands. Progress appears to be being made and there are trials underway to feed the 'grey' with nuts baited with a contraceptive. If it works it will be a far more effective and humane way of dealing with them than attempting to shoot them; it would be impossible to shoot them all any way. 

Another interesting fact has emerged from research in Scotland and Ireland where there are still colonies of red squirrel. It seems that where there are strong populations of pine marten there are good populations of red squirrel and that the pine martens may have an effective way of preying on the 'greys'. The research is being widened and reintroduction of the pine marten to other areas from where it had gone is being considered and in some places actively pursued. 

Love them or hate them, you cannot ignore the grey squirrel but I, for one, would much rather see red squirrels in our parks and gardens.

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