Wales
Squirrel
Forum

The Wales Squirrel Forum (WSF), made up of statutory, non statutory organisations and local groups, was set up to implement red squirrel conservation in Wales. An open meeting was held in November 2004 to discuss how best to achieve red squirrel conservation in Wales and the future of the forum, the minutes of which will be available shortly.

As throughout the UK, the ecological replacement of red by grey squirrels, has left the Welsh red squirrel highly fragmented and largely at risk of extinction, estimates suggest that as few as 1000 adult red squirrels remain in Wales (Shuttleworth, in press).

A Wales Red Squirrel Strategy was produced by the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) in 1999 to highlight the priorities for action (Warren and Matthews 1999). A review of red squirrels sites in 2000 identified key areas in which to concentrate conservation action (Shuttleworth et al, 2002). These included the central region (Tywi/Irfon/Crychan forest complex); Clocaenog in North Wales and Anglesey. These areas are all primarily commercial woodland plantations partially or fully owned and managed by Forestry Commission Wales. The Red Squirrel Strategy will shortly be reviewed in the light of more recent survey information.

Terms of Reference for the WSF

The Wales Squirrel Forum aims to enable effective red squirrel conservation and grey squirrel management in Wales. In doing so, the Forum also aims to co-ordinate, support and provide advice on the implementation of the UK Red Squirrel Species Action Plan in Wales.

The functions and operation of the group are set out in our Terms of Reference (PDF 31 kb).

Central Wales Squirrel Project

A two year project, funded by CCW's Species Challenge Fund and match-funding from local authorities, aims to assess the population of red squirrels found in the central Wales belt. Previous hair tube studies found evidence of red squirrels in the area and this project aims to quantify the population using a trapping programme and to give recommendations for managing the forests to benefit red squirrels.

Clocaenog

A study of the squirrel population at Clocaenog between 1994 and 1999 showed that red and grey squirrels coexist in the forest with red squirrels favouring certain species of conifer (Scots pine, Norway spruce and Japanese larch). Grey squirrels were mainly resident in broadleaf areas except in years of high conifer seed production, when they moved into coniferous areas to feed, particularly Norway spruce. Sitka spruce provided a poor quality habitat, although red squirrels used it particularly if in mixture with other conifers. In contrast grey squirrels were less likely to use Sitka spruce even in mixtures and hence and it may be an effective buffer zone against grey squirrel incursion. Management recommendations emphasised the importance of Scots pine, Norway spruce and Japanese larch and the careful management of thinning and clear felling. A summary report on this and a similar study in Craigvinean Forest, Perthshire will be available soon.

At present a red squirrel conservation management project aims to provide improved guidance on the management of conifer forests for red squirrel conservation, including when and how grey squirrelcontrol should be initiated and to assess the potential for providing a public viewing area, where red squirrels could be see at a feeding station. The project will also investigate red squirrel densities and dispersal; monitor grey squirrels and the presence of squirrel poxvirus and investigate coning cycles.

Anglesey Red Squirrel Project.

The control and monitoring of grey squirrels has been carried out on the island of Anglesey since 1988. Grey squirrels were eradicated from the Mynydd Llwydiarth Forest and the small (c. 40 animals) remnant red squirrel population initially responded positively with favourable rates of juvenile recruitment. Adult numbers peaked at 90-100 during 2002, and animals re-colonised two adjacent broadleaved woodlands. However, the population has recently declined in response to poor conifer seed crops. Consequently a program of supplementary feeding using hazel nuts was initiated during the winter 04/05.

Genetic studies indicate that the Mynydd Llwydiarth red squirrels all share a single mitochondrial haplotype, which is unique within the UK. Extant specimens from Plas Newydd (a 20 year old skin) on Anglesey and from mid-Wales (a recent road kill) were also each found to have unique haplotypes. A second Anglesey skin, this time from Bodorgan near Newborough forest, was found to be the same type as that of the Mid Wales specimen. The three haplotypes appear to be closely related and their nearest relatives in the UK are found on the Isle of Wight and Jersey. There is evidence suggesting that these squirrels may be related to the original native UK race of red squirrel, which was thought to have been lost due to the frequent use of continental red squirrels within historical re-introduction programmes.

Red squirrels were present in Newborough forest on Anglesey until the mid 1990s. The Corsican pine plantation is now the location of a red squirrel re-introduction. Five large captive breeding enclosures were constructed during 2003. Red squirrels ere then sourced through the UK Captive Breeding Stud Book which is administered by the Welsh Mountain Zoo. In May 2004, three adult red squirrels were radio-collared and released into the forest and these produced seven wild-born young. Breeding was also successful within the enclosures where an additional sixteen young squirrels were born last year (2004). In 2002, almost five hundred grey squirrels were caught in the forest, whilst in 2004 only ten were found.

The seven hundred and fifty hectare forest is part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) (for dune habitats, shore dock and petalwort) and is adjacent to a National Nature Reserve (NNR), all designations to protect the site and ensure it is in a favourable conservation status. The Forestry Commission with CCW are undertaking a public consultation process to consider options for the future management of the forest following earlier proposals that a core area of woodland be retained and managed as continuous cover, whilst trees from the coastal fringe are removed to restore the sand dune habitat. Further information can be found on the Forestry Commision website.

Local Groups & Contact Points

WSF Minutes

For details of the latest meetings, please select from the list of minutes below:

Wales Squirrel Parternship (WSP) Minutes

For details of the latest meetings, please select from the list of minutes below: