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| Save our Squirrels Campaign |
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| For up-to-date information contact Rosemary Bailey: 016974 78575. |
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| 2010 |
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| Click here for Penrith & District Red Squirrel Group Winter Newsletter 2009 - 2010 |
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| 2009 |
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| Caldbeck Red Squirrel Update |
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A few reports were received during the summer of Red Squirrels sighted in the village. Worryingly, in the last few weeks, however, there have been quite a few reports of sightings of Greys in Caldbeck and the surrounding area. It would appear that some are simply "passing through" and it is impossible to take any action with these. Remaining vigilant and reporting any sightings is the best course of action.
There has, however, been found to be a considerable number of Greys in Parsons Park and the situation is being dealt with by Bernard Parker. Trapping and culling is ongoing with some success, I believe. The aim is to clear Parsons Park and Denton Side of grey squirrels, but this may take some time. Clearly, the struggle to protect the Reds is going to be relentless.
All the various red squirrel protection groups in the county now come under the 'umbrella' of the independent group Northern Red Squirrels - full details on www.northernredsquirrels.co.uk
The Penrith and District Red Squirrel Group [P&DRSG] are working closely with, and have successfully applied for some funding from, a new charity set up by HRH The Prince of Wales - "The Red Squirrel Survival Trust" [RSST]. Further information on www.rsst.org.uk This money has enabled them to set up specific projects in Wreay Woods and Low Wood, Hartsop.
Rosemary Bailey.
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| The poxvirus kills red squirrels but not greys. Grey squirrels carry the virus and spread it, killing the reds and making way for more grey squirrels to take over their territory. To see what poxvirus does to red squirrels, click here. |
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| For details of the local campaign to save our red squirrels click here. Click here to see latest newsletter.Please report local sightings to Rosemary Bailey on 016974 78575 |
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Red Squirrel Survival Trust |
The Red Squirrel Survival Trust has launched a new red squirrel perceptions survey to monitor red squirrel population trends around the UK and we are asking all our members and friends to please participate. I would be grateful if you would indicate your connection to P&DRSG in the survey as information for our patch will then be collated separately for us which will be very useful indeed.
Please access the survey by clicking on this link.
The survey only takes a couple of minutes to complete and aims to capture people's perceptions of the situation regarding red and grey squirrel numbers in their local area. The survey will run until the end of December 2009.
We welcome everyone's views - you do not need to work in red squirrel conservation to take part!
The information you provide will be invaluable as it will contribute to a greater understanding of your local red squirrel population.
Please forward the survey on to anyone you know who would be interested in taking part! Many thanks for your support of Penrith & District Red Squirrel Group and RSST.
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2008
After a very successful and well attended meeting at Millhouse Hall in October, a training session was held in Caldbeck Hall in February for those who had expressed an interest in setting and monitoring traps.
This was an indoor training with Bernard Parker, Gerry Moss and Richard Dyke from the Penrith and District Red Squirrel Group. It was attended by around eighteen people, many of whom bought or borrowed traps.
To date, there have been no reported sightings of grey squirrels, but the worst has happened in that at least one and possibly three fatal cases of the squirrel pox virus have been discovered in Caldbeck. This is a really horrid and highly contagious disease. It is carried by the grey squirrels, but they appear to be immune to it. In the early stages of infection the red squirrel becomes lethargic and displays poor co-ordination/balance. Lesions then develop on the eyes, ears, nose and genitals and the squirrel dies a pitiful death in about two weeks.
Grey squirrels are classed as vermin and apart from carrying disease, do many thousands of pounds worth of damage to our woodlands.
They were introduced from America in 1876, whilst the native red squirrels have been in Britain around ten thousand years, since the last ice age. The grey squirrel population has exploded to approximately three million. They push relentlessly northwards in Britain, causing the dramatic decline of the beautiful and charismatic red squirrel, to their present number of approx. one hundred and twenty thousand.
Unless a real drive is made to seriously reduce the grey squirrel numbers then our generation may well be remembered as the one that allowed the extinction of another native species.
Please be vigilant and report any sightings of grey squirrels, sickly or dead reds [including road kills] to me - Tel: 016974 78575
Rosemary Bailey
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For more information about the national campaign click here and the Penrith and District Red Squirrel Group click here. |
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| See what the poxvirus does to red squirrels ... click here. |
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