Squirrels listen in to birds' conversations as signal of safety

Hearing casual chatter of birds after predator call reassures squirrels to come off high alert

Date: September 4, 2019

Source: PLOS

Grey squirrels eavesdrop on the chatter between nearby songbirds as a sign of safety. Birds chatter when they feel safe to communicate the absence of danger or share their location. This "chatter" from multiple bird species could therefore be a useful cue to other creatures that there is no imminent threat.

To test this hypothesis, the researchers observed the behavior of 54 wild Eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) in public parks and residential areas in Ohio in response to threat, which they simulated by playing back a recording of the call of a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), a common predator of both squirrels and small birds. They followed the predator's call with a playback of either multi-species songbird bird chatter or ambient sounds lacking bird calls and monitored the behavior of each squirrel for 3 minutes.

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North-east squirrel spotters to take note as reds fight back

by Emma Morrice

 18/05/2019, 12:34 pm

Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels encourages more people to log sightings of red and grey squirrels across the country.

NEW data shows an invasive species of squirrel has almost been eradicated in the north-east thanks to the work of a charity and members of the public.

During the past 10-15 years the number of non-native, invasive grey species has reduced.

They are only being spotted in Aberdeen city now, as opposed to the wider region.

Grey squirrels push the native red species out, taking over their habitats and food.

Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels encourages more people to log sightings of red and grey squirrels across the country to promote awareness.

In Scotland more than 2,100 animals have already been added to the website.

Last year, 8,393 were tallied, compared with 5,311 in 2017.

In the north-east there has been a huge reduction in grey squirrels, which has allowed the red ones to thrive.

Since the start of the year more than 120 squirrels in Aberdeen City have been added to the map, with the majority of these red, and many more have been logged across Aberdeenshire.

Many have been spotted in Hazlehead Park, near the crematorium, and at Seaton Park. Remaining greys have been seen along the River Don.

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Daylight robbery: grey squirrels stealing millions of pounds of bird seed a year

New video analysis reveals the furry thieves are looting up to half the seed put out in feeders, leaving gardeners and birds short-changed

Damian CarringtonEnvironment editor

Thu 10 May 2018 07.00 BST

Daylight robbery worth millions of pounds is taking place in gardens across the country with grey squirrels raiding bird feeders on a huge scale, new research has revealed.

The crimes were caught on video camera by scientists, who said grey squirrels are also known to raid birds’ nests for eggs and chicks. So people putting out food for birds are inadvertently supporting a species that harms them.

Over 40% of households across the UK put out bird feed, totalling about 150,000 tonnes a year and costing £210m. But the new analysis, based on video recordings of more than 33,000 visits to bird feeders, showed much of the food is being snaffled by squirrels.

Grey squirrels, though loved by some people, are an invasive alien species that has driven the native red squirrel out of much of the UK and they are also a pest in orchards and commercial forests. However, using feeders that are enclosed by a cage can help stop the squirrels getting their free lunches.

“Anybody who feeds birds knows that there is a good chance that squirrels will come in to your feeders,” said Prof Mark Fellowes, at the University of Reading, who led the new work published in the journal Landscape and Urban Planning. “The question is how much is going to the target species – the birds?”

To find out, the researchers placed automated video cameras in suburban gardens around Reading and found that birds would not go near a feeder when a squirrel was present. Furthermore, when squirrels were frequent visitors, they deterred birds even when not actually on the feeder.

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Problem-solving could be key to grey squirrels' success, study finds

Research in UK shows invasive species bests native red squirrels in complex tasks

Steven Morris

Tue 20 Feb 2018 06.00 GMTLast modified on Tue 20 Feb 2018 09.06 GMT

The ability to solve problems may explain why grey squirrels are thriving at the expense of native red ones in the UK, research suggests.

Wild greys and reds were presented with an easy task (opening a transparent lid) and a difficult version (a more complex process of pushing and pulling levers) to get hazelnuts.

The two species were equally successful at the easy task, but more of the grey squirrels cracked the trickier one.

Researchers from Exeter and Edinburgh universities said this “superior behavioural flexibility” may explain the success of the greys.

Red squirrels have lived in the UK for thousands of years, but grey squirrels – which arrived from North America in the 19th century – now outnumber them by more than 15 to one.

 “Many factors have been considered to explain why grey squirrels are more successful when they move into areas where red squirrels live,” said Pizza Ka Yee Chow, of Exeter’s centre for research in animal behaviour.

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Red squirrels: 5,000 volunteers sought to save species – and help kill invasive greys

Wildlife Trusts’ biggest-ever recruitment drive will see volunteers monitor populations, educate children – and bludgeon grey squirrels to death

Patrick Barkham

Friday 24 February 2017 06.01 GMT 

An army of 5,000 volunteers is being sought to save the red squirrel from extinction by monitoring populations, educating children – and bludgeoning grey squirrels to death.

The Wildlife Trusts’ biggest-ever recruitment drive is focused on areas of northern England, north Wales and Northern Ireland where invasive grey squirrels first introduced by the Victorians are driving the retreating red squirrel population to extinction.

More than 2.5 million grey squirrels are continuing to spread north through England and into Scotland, out-competing the 140,000 remaining red squirrels and spreading the squirrelpox virus, which does not affect greys but rapidly kills reds. 

“In most of the UK there are only a handful of refuges left for red squirrels,” said Dr Cathleen Thomas, programme manager of Red Squirrel United, a conservation partnership started in 2015. “Without help, experts predict this beautiful and treasured creature could be extinct within as little as 35 years.”

Volunteers for Red Squirrel United will be asked to monitor red squirrel strongholds in Northumberland, Merseyside, Wales and Northern Ireland, and report any grey squirrels entering these areas. Volunteers will set up camera traps to film squirrel behaviour and teach the public and school children about the way in which greys have rapidly driven the reds to extinction across southern Britain since 1945.

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11th Duke of Bedford blamed for unstoppable grey squirrel invasion

The 11th Duke of Bedford, Herbrand Russell, was one of the worst culprits of Victorian "squirrel spreading"

By Sarah Knapton, Science Editor

1:31PM GMT 26 Jan 2016

With its seemingly unstoppable spread through Britain, the grey squirrel has come to exemplify the danger posed by non-native species.

But a new study suggests that without the bungling actions of well-meaning Victorians, the squirrel would not have reached such huge numbers, or ventured so far.

Imperial College has found that the 11th Duke of Bedford, Herbrand Russell, was one of the worst culprits of ‘squirrel spreading.’

“The most important introduction occurred in 1890, when 10 grey squirrels imported from New Jersey were released at Woburn Abbey."

The Duke, an eminent animal conservationist, not only imported 10 of the creatures from America, but released them into the grounds of his home of Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire, and sent them to friends across the country as presents for their own estates.

He also released populations in Regent's Park, creating the current London epidemic of greys.

“It was a time when we didn’t know invasive species could cause so much damage,” said lead author Dr Lisa Signorile whose study shows that the popular notion of a grey ‘super-squirrel’ is nonsense.

“The most important introduction occurred in 1890, when 10 grey squirrels imported from New Jersey were released at Woburn Abbey.

"Woburn squirrels were later distributed as gifts across a minimum of seven sites in the UK and Ireland, but no systematic documentation of these translocations was kept, so the number of propagules from Woburn may have been greater.

“Grey squirrels are not as crazy invaders as we think – their spread is far more our own fault.”

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EU clamps down on grey squirrels and other invasive wildlife

EU embargo on trade, possession and transport of 37 invasive species filed at the WTO, but conservationists say species omitted for commercial reasons pose a major threat to biodiversity

Arthur Neslen in Brussels

Friday 25 September 2015 14.47 BST Last modified on Friday 25 September 201515.09 BST

Anyone caught exporting or possessing invasive species such as grey squirrels, ruddy ducks and water hyacinth in the EU will soon face heavy fines and confiscations, under a new blacklist filed at the WTO, which the Guardian has seen.

Raccoons, Javan mongooses, and South American coypus are among the 37 types of flora and fauna that will soon face eradication or strict controls in a bid to haltthreats to native wildlife and economic losses, estimated at €12bn (£8.8bn) per year by the EU.

Initially, the new EU regulation will ban a wide range of activities linked with invasive species including trade, transport, possession, breeding and putting on the market.

It also obliges countries including the UK to eradicate invading populations within two months of a new appearance where possible, and to draw up blueprints for containing existing colonies.

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'Squirrel Nutkin' fights back in battle against grey rivals

Red squirrels - popularly illustrated in Beatrix Potter books - return to Windermere in Lake District after 16-year absence as they fight back in ongoing war against greys

By Agency

2:54PM BST 05 Apr 2015

Red squirrels are battling back in the war against their grey rivals - after finally returning to one of Britain's most stunning beauty spots.

Native reds have been almost wiped out except for a few pockets in the north of England, the Isle of Wight and Scotland after greys arrived from America in the 19th century.

Numbers of the reds - popularly illustrated in the Beatrix Potter Squirrel Nutkin books - have been dwindling, mainly thanks to the greys' squirrel pox virus.

But now after a 16 year absence, red squirrels have been spotted in Windermere, in the picturesque Lake District.

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Millions of pounds of public money to pay for grey squirrel cull

The Forestry Commission has drawn up plans obliging landowners to rid their estates of grey squirrels

By Rosa Silverman

11:02PM GMT 03 Jan 2015

Landowners are to be paid millions of pounds of public money to cull grey squirrels under the first national plan for managing their numbers.

Under the scheme, designed to protect red squirrels and woodland, only those who agree to deal with the animals on their land will be eligible for forestry grants from the Government or European Union.

But they will be able to apply for funding of £100 per hectare per year for five years to help them cull the squirrels using whatever method they prefer.

The money could be used to buy warfarin to poison them, or for buying traps so they can be trapped and shot.

There will also be Government funding available to help neighbouring landowners cooperate to control grey squirrel numbers together.

Tens of thousands of grey squirrels could be culled each year under the new plans, which will be set in motion this month.

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Prince Charles orders grey squirrel cull on duchy estate

‘Humane and lawful’ measures introduced on Duchy of Cornwall estate in attempt to protect red squirrel population

Press Association

The Guardian, Sunday 19 October 2014 12.29 BST

The Prince of Wales has ordered a cull of the grey squirrel on his estate in an attempt to protect the indigenous red variety.

“Humane and lawful” measures to control the population of greys, which carry a poxvirus that is deadly to red squirrels, have been introduced on the Duchy of Cornwall estate.

The grey species, which were first brought over from America in 1876, are also “extremely destructive” in woodlands, according to the Forestry Commission, stripping the bark from trees and affecting woodland conservation, biodiversity and sustainability.

A spokesman for Prince Charles said: “The red squirrel is a most cherished and iconic national species, and, as patron of the Red Squirrel Survival Trust, the Prince of Wales keenly supports all efforts to conserve and promote their diminishing numbers.

“Where appropriate, this includes the humane and lawful control of grey squirrels as well as other measures to enhance the natural habitat of reds across the Duchy of Cornwall estate, in accordance with established estate management practices.”

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Old Dalby pie maker under fire over squirrel meat fillings

A firm that shoots grey squirrels to use in its pies has come under fire from animal rights campaigners.

Leicestershire-based pie maker Phil Walmsley won a gold award for his squirrel pie at the British Pie Awards held in Melton Mowbray.

Welfare group Animal Aid said it was inhumane to shoot grey squirrels and wrong to scapegoat them.

But Mr Walmsley said sustainable culling of grey squirrels gave "our native breed a chance to repopulate".

Kate Fowler, head of campaigns at Animal Aid, said: "Grey squirrels don't go round bashing red squirrels on the head and it's a bit rich to blame grey squirrels for the demise of the reds."

She said: "There are lots of reasons why red squirrels are in decline in parts of the country, largely to do with things like forestry plantations and pesticides.

"Grey squirrels are hardier and more able to adapt, so if you cut down a forest, the greys can live in what we leave behind. The reds can't."

She said shooting squirrels was a "pretty inhumane" way to control numbers as it was hard to get a clean shot at them.

Continued

Prince Charles backs plan to kill grey squirrels

Government, forestry officials and conservationists agree 'squirrel accord' to protect UK's native reds

Adam Vaughan

The Guardian, Thursday 8 May 2014 17.02 BST

Prince Charles has backed plans to kill grey squirrels to protect the UK's "much-loved" native reds.

Under a "squirrel accord" agreed at Dumfries House, the prince's stately home in Scotland, government, forestry officials and some conservationists agreed to undertake a renewed push to reduce grey numbers "through targeted and sustained action".

Owen Paterson, the secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, told the meeting: "Red squirrels are a much-loved, but threatened, part of British wildlife. I fully support this accord and endorse the need to work together to revive our iconic red squirrel population, and encourage the planting of new broadleaved woodlands."

There are around 5 million greys in the UK, with numbers of reds estimated at 120,000-140,000 – 75% of which are in Scotland. Reds have decreased massively in number since a Victorian banker introduced a pair of greys after returning from a business trip in America. Greys carry a poxvirus that is deadly to reds, and are stronger and larger too.

Prince Charles's attack on grey squirrels is nostalgia posing as environmentalism

He says he has the red squirrels at heart, but Charles may have more personal and political motivations for his bloodlust

Read more

Oscar Rickett

theguardian.com, Friday 9 May 2014 17.05 BST

Charles may not be king, but he is the reigning monarch of nostalgia. The Prince of Wales is the champion of a time that never was, and which passed before he was born. Signing a "squirrel accord" after meetings at one of his stately homes, the prince reaffirmed his desire to drive grey squirrels out of the UK in order to save our "much loved" native red squirrels. If the term "squirrel accord" has you thinking of a bunch of woodland creatures walking around wearing stovepipe hats and discussing what to do about this autumn's chestnut shortage, then banish the thought and replace it with a vision of members of the royal family and government officials talking about how many cages they would need in order to undertake "targeted and sustained action" against grey squirrels.

While there are a couple of environmental reasons for wishing to enact this animal massacre – grey squirrels strip bark from trees and carry a poxvirus that is deadly to red squirrels – the motivations are more personal and political. In 1876, the British banker Thomas Brocklehurst brought back a pair of grey squirrels from America and released them on to his land. Brocklehurst was obviously quite the hip cat, because in no time grey squirrels became the must-have garden accessory of late-Victorian England and now there are close to 5 million of them in the UK. The most important point of this story is that it has happened and it cannot be undone. Just like Pandora, Brocklehurst opened his box; it's just that instead of it containing all the evils of the world, it contained two grey squirrels.

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Red squirrels given boost as greys are targeted

March 2013. An initiative to help red squirrels in North Wales is to be extended into Gwynedd. The project is a partnership between the UK's largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) and the Red Squirrels Trust Wales. It has already had success in Anglesey which now contains the largest and most genetically diverse red squirrel population in Wales with over 500 animals recorded over a 720km2 landscape. 

Red squirrels have crossed the Menai Straits

The scheme, part of BASC's Green Shoots conservation programme, now aims to focus on Gwynedd. In 2008 the first red squirrel crossed the Menai Straits and colonized woodlands. In 2012 red squirrels were found breeding near Parc Menai in Bangor. 

Bangor

Dr Craig Shuttleworth of the Red Squirrels Trust Wales said: "Working with BASC, we have a unique opportunity to see red squirrels return to woodlands in Bangor and the Ogwen Valley. Anglesey has demonstrated the strong public support that exists for red squirrel conservation and we want to build upon that. The Gwynedd project will help protect Anglesey from the threat of grey squirrel reinvasion as well as creating an important mainland red squirrel population." 

Audrey Watson of BASC said: "Grey squirrel populations threaten to make red squirrels extinct. It is through management projects like this that the contribution to conservation by people who shoot is brought to the fore. Research shows that shooters put in almost three million work days on conservation each year." 

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/bangor-red-squirrel.html

Jersey's squirrels are 'not severely inbred', a study finds

Jersey's red squirrel population is not severely inbred, according to a study.

The Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA) has paid for a study into the origin of the island's red squirrels.

The study found those in the east of the island are of French descent, and those in the west have English origins, while those in the middle were mixed.

There have been red squirrels in Jersey since they were introduced in 1885, but there are no grey squirrels.

In the UK, red squirrels are endangered because of competition from grey squirrels.

The study was carried out by the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology at the University of Kent.

'Dear creatures'

Major Steven Coleman, chief executive of the JSPCA, said the study aimed to find out if the squirrel population had started to inbreed.

Read on:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey-20668069

Reds squirrels in Northumberland threatened by greys

Reds squirrels need your support

July 2012. Red Squirrels Northern England (RSNE) and Northumberland Wildlife Trust have launched a cash appeal to save red squirrels in the region.

Research undertaken during April and May by RSNE volunteers has identified an urgently pressing threat - three of the nine red squirrel reserves in Northumberland are becoming heavily populated by breeding grey squirrels, thereby putting the much smaller remaining red squirrels in danger by out-competing them for food and spreading the deadly squirrelpox virus.

The reserves all lie south of Hexham in the Slaley area and it is now clear that, without immediate action, the red squirrels in these three important reserves will probably be lost forever.

Grey squirrel controlThe aim of the appeal is to protect and increase red squirrel populations in the Slaley area over the next five years.  To achieve this, three full-time rangers will be employed to work in these reserves carrying out grey squirrel control and RSNE is asking for donations towards the cost of the project - no matter how small.

Nick Mason, RSNE Project Manager said: "Sadly red and grey squirrels cannot co-exist and without the efforts of land managers and local voluntary groups the red squirrel would already have disappeared.

"Hopefully this appeal will give the red squirrels some breathing space whilst we secure longer term funding to ensure a solution to the situation.

Nick concluded: "We really do appreciate whatever people can give in these times of economic uncertainty, but even though times are hard, we know that if we do not act now, something truly precious will be lost forever." 

People can donate in a number of ways:

online: by credit or debit card at: www.nwt.org.uk/red-sqirrel-appeal-2012

by post: by sending a cheque (with Red Squirrel Appeal marked on the back) made payable to Northumberland Wildlife Trust Ltd, and sending it to Freepost NT89, Garden House, St Nicholas Park, Newcastle, NE3 3XT

by telephone: on 0191 284 6884 where staff will take credit/debit payments.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/northumberland-squirrel.html