Conservation Strategy
2012
November 2011
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Introduction
This document explains the proposed pattern of initial RSNE grey squirrel control staff
deployment for early spring 2012. Work programmes for 2013 and beyond will be planned
after the 2012 trapping and monitoring season is complete and the results considered.
Our initial strategy is informed by:
 Recent government reviews and academic guidance on grey squirrel incursion corridors.
 Existing grey squirrel control networks (private landowners and volunteer groups).
 Our current knowledge of the status of red squirrels within the 17 red squirrel reserves
(see Appendix 2).
 The agreed objectives set out in the RSNE project plan and agreements with funders.
Rationale
All previous reviews of squirrel conservation activity in England highlight the need to secure
the designated red squirrel reserves and associated strongholds before considering the
potential for additional conservation gains. This is reflected in the agreed objectives of
RSNE:
 Facilitate the continued persistence and increase of red squirrel populations within
Strongholds by halting the spread of grey squirrels within or into Strongholds.
 Reduce the rate of grey squirrel expansion across the wider project area where it
benefits red squirrel populations.
Reviewing published data on the status of both red and grey squirrels in and around the 17
reserves shows a mixed security picture (see Map 2 & Appendix 2). Some reserves are
likely to be completely free of grey squirrels (e.g. Kidland and Uswayford), protected largely
by their isolated geography. Others suffer occasional penetration by greys (e.g. Kielder).
Several are regularly penetrated by greys (e.g. Greenfield, Sefton, Dipton/Dukeshouse). A
variety of grey control regimes are in place in and around these reserves.
For this first year of RSNE landscape scale grey control, we must focus on building a clearer
understanding the current status of red and grey squirrels in all 17 reserves and the wider
strongholds. Our deployment plans focus almost exclusively on the reserve/stronghold
interfaces, with trapping data adding to monitoring information to give us a clear picture of
current red and grey squirrel distribution by the end of 2012.
A more detailed analysis of existing grey control in the areas described below is also
underway, with some Northumberland WGS control data in particular needed to help us
assess current control levels.
Grey squirrel control deployment proposals
Proposed control zones have been defined for six RSNE Red Squirrel Rangers (grey control
operatives) to operate in through RSNE. Rangers are expected to be employed on initial 10 month
contracts from early spring 2012. These are:
Ranger patch
North Northumberland (1)
Eastern Forests (2)
North Tyne (3)
North Cumbria (4)
Lakeland stronghold (5)
Merseyside stronghold (6)
Reserve protection focus
Kyloe
Kidland, Uswayford, Harwood
Kielder/Raylees
Kielder
Whinlatter/Thirlmere
Sefton
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Total woodland hectares
4481
6474
6108
3695
3622
928
More details of these areas are given in Appendix 1.
The woodland area and type in each patch is hugely variable. The chart below shows the total
amount of broadleaved woodland in each of the six patches:
Total broadleaved woodland area in each
of six RSNE ranger patches (hectares)
390
961
1 North Northumb
1336
1314
2 Eastern Forests
3 North Tyne
4 North Cumbria
1709
5 Lakes
6 Merseyside
1912
In the larger ranger patches, we have defined initial start points for control work, along with
recommendations for subsequent deployment later in the year – see map 1. These are based on
known areas of incursion or concern.
Different approaches to control within the different areas will be required. It is crucial we use 2012 to
“test trap” areas where control data is currently unavailable or uncertain (eg NW Northumberland in
Ranger patch 1). In these areas, 2012 effort must focus on sampling the whole of the woodland
landscape during the year, rather than getting stuck controlling greys in individual woodland for long
periods. In areas with a more detailed current state of knowledge (eg the North Tyne valley), a
traditional control approach (concerted grey removal effort) will be applied. See Appendix 3 for
example protocols for these two different situations.
Detailed control plans will be developed for each of the patches over the next three months. This
development work will continue to be undertaken will all relevant partners, including local groups.
The status and security of the other 8 reserves and surrounding strongholds will be explored using
five RSNE grey squirrel control contractors in 2012 (typically employed on 6 month contracts),
reflecting the small size of the reserves or the high current level of grey control. The proposed
locations of these initial contractor deployments can be seen on map 1.
Two stronghold complexes (Slaley and the Yorkshire Dales) have no ranger posts associated with
them. Our initial control priorities in these two areas are:
 A 20 week control contract to cover the northern and eastern sections of the Slaley stronghold
and along the south bank of the river Tyne, in addition to the 9 week contract funded through the
SITA project. Extensive WGS control is already in place.
 A 20 week control contract in upper Wensleydale, reducing grey incursion up Wensleydale and
protecting the north eastern incursion routes into the Yorkshire Dales stronghold complex.
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Deployment of new RSNE control staff into the wider landscape beyond the strongholds will
only be considered in future years as and when monitoring and control data demonstrate a
case for broader deployment. Exceptions to this principle in 2012 are limited to:
 North Northumberland – control in the Tweed/Till corridor along the Scottish border,
reducing potential grey squirrel movement into Scotland.
 Northumberland river valleys (potential incursion corridors into Kielder) just east of the
stronghold edges.
In addition to these 11 posts at least partially funded with landfill tax grant aid (SITA Trust or
Biffaward), we are also working to secure additional capacity through 5-year Woodland Grant
Scheme projects in the following areas (see map 1):
 Grasmere/Rydal
 Greystoke Forest and surrounds
 Wallington/Cragside (to be delivered by National Trust).
 North Cumbria (north of Longtown)
 Sefton
If our applications are successful, we expect these new agreements to create at least 3 full-time
equivalent grey control contractor posts to commence in April 2012.
This deployment outlined is expected to complement high quality control effort already undertaken by
local groups inside the reserve network (e.g. Berwick Group around Kyloe Forest, United Utilities in
Thirlmere), their buffer zones (e.g. Grasmere group, National Trust and Forestry Commission in
Lakeland ) and in the wider landscape (e.g. Westmorland group in south Lakeland).
Conclusion
We view the 2012 deployment plans expressed here as an appropriate balance between protecting
reserves already under threat and building our understanding of the conservation challenge in the
wider landscape. However, our expectation is that plans for further years may look and feel very
different, informed a full year of control and monitoring data.
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Map 1 – Suggested new RSNE ranger and contractor deployment zones for 2012.
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Map 2 Current Red Squirrel reserve status
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Appendix 1 Description of the six proposed initial RSNE ranger deployment areas
Area 1 North Northumberland
4647 ha of woodland
This area protects the Scottish Border from the Northern extent of the Cheviots to Berwick,
the Kyloe stronghold and surrounding woodland, in addition to the potential northern
incursion routes in to Uswayford and Kidland.
Zone 1
Zone 2
Zone 3
EWIGS
The status of red and grey squirrel in this area is currently unknown. The target is
provide presence/absence and distribution data for red and grey squirrels.
Continuing control along the south bank of the Tweed extending south to Ford &Etal,
continuing from the contractor work carried out in 2011. Experience of RSNE 2010
contract work suggests this zone can covered by a 6 – 12 week contract should other
ranger priority’s arise and contractor resources be available.
Kyloe stronghold. Berwick volunteer group and EWIGS agreements are currently
providing protection and incursion response within the reserve and its immediate
boundaries, ranger deployment would augment this control, in addition to delivering
control through the wider landscape of the stronghold and reducing/removing
immediate incursion threats to the stronghold.
We are not pursuing any new EWIGS agreements for this area to be delivered by early
2012.
Area 2 Upper Coquet and Wansbeck
10107 ha of woodland
This area provides direct protection to the Uswayford, Kidland and Harwood strongholds, in addition
to the north east corner of the Kielder complex. Work will focus on the incursion routes along the
rivers Coquet and Wansbeck, their tributaries and adjoining woodland.
Zone 1
Zone 2
EWIGS
To provide distribution and density data, in the gap between Kidland and Uswayford
stronghold and the northern boundary of the Harwood stronghold. There will also be
some additional trapping within the stronghold boundaries, along the upper Coquet
and Aln.
Trapping along what is currently perceived to be the “front line” of the grey squirrel
population, then moving east.
New agreements in place for the National Trust properties at Cragside and Wallington,
including site specific control plans delivered through a contractor.
Area 3 Eastern Kielder/North Tyne
6787 ha of woodland
This area provide protection for the eastern side of the Kielder stronghold, from Carter Bar to
Ponteland and west to Haltwhistle, covering the primary incursion route along the river North Tyne
and surrounding woodland. Raylees stronghold falls within the northern boundary of this area.
Zone 1
Contractors
Control delivered along the primary incursion corridor into the Kielder stronghold from
the south east, working alongside EWIGS funded schemes.
Two 20 week contracts, one deployed along the Tyne to reduce population
densities and minimise population dispersal in to the wider landscape and the southern
boundary of Kielder. The second to work in the area South East of the Raylees
stronghold, with a view to removing the widely distributed, low density grey squirrel
population currently in the area.
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EWIGS
New agreements covering the north bank of the Tyne between Corbridge and Hexham
and at Countess Park at the junction of the rivers north Tyne and Rede. These will
deliver control and monitoring over 5 years.
Area 4 Western Kielder
5052 ha of woodland
This area covers the west side of the Kielder stronghold from Haltwhistle, west to the Solway and
north to the Scottish border, including the main incursion routes along the rivers Irthing, Lyne and
Liddle.
Zone 1
Zone 2
Contractor
EWIGS
Control delivered along the south western edge of the Kielder complex, focusing on
complete removal of a low density, but widely distributed grey squirrel population
around Roadhead and Bewcastle, working south and west to ultimately focus on the
river Lyne and adjoining woodland.
Following on from control carried out in zone 1, this area covers the upper King water
and middle Lyne, including more diffuse woodland between Brampton and Longtown
north of the A6071 around Heathersgill, Walton and Kirklinton. Control would be
directed along the woodland adjacent to zone 1 working west and south to the river
Lyne and Brampton.
One 20 to 26 week contract, to carry out control along the river Irthing. Working west
from the upper Irthing gorge within the Kielder complex, to Brampton and including the
woodland immediately surrounding the river corridor.
New agreements are being sought for Netherby estate and the lower Liddle up to
Penton Bridge with control being delivered by a contractor.
Area 5 Lakes stronghold
5084 ha of woodland
This area provides control within and adjacent to the Lake District stronghold. The area runs from the
west of Penrith to Cockermouth and south to Grasmere.
Zone 1
Contractor
EWIGS
Control to be delivered in stronghold woodland surrounding Keswick, the eastern and
northern shore’s of Bassenthwaite Lake and woodland to the east of Cockermouth.
The control will support work carried out by the Forestry Commission (FC) around
Whinlatter by reducing or removing the potential for re-incursion from outside
of the FC project area.
There are currently no plans to deploy a contractor in this area.
New agreements are being sought for Greystoke and the surrounding woodland, in q
addition to new agreements for woodland to the south of Grasmere. In both cases
control will be delivered through a contractor.
Area 6 Sefton stronghold
774 ha of woodland
The area covered provides protection for the Sefton stronghold and extends from north of Southport,
east towards Ormskirk, south to Bootle and west to the coast. This post would continue the current
efforts of LWT staff. If a pending SITA bid is successful, this Biffaward funded post would be
redeployed to reduce the size of control zones around Kielder.
Contractor
2 contract posts may be funded through SITA/EWGS funding
EWIGS
A new agreement is being brokered at Little Crosby. Others will follow.
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Appendix 2 RSNE 2011 assessment of the conservation status of the 17 red squirrel reserves
The data below is derived from a mixture of peer-reviewed published data, reserve manager written reports, reserve manager verbal briefing
and Woodland Grant Scheme control returns.
Status criteria
Red
Frequent grey incursion recorded within the last two years (pox outbreaks). Control required inside the reserve to prevent grey
establishment.
Amber
Red Squirrels present. Sporadic incursion recorded in the last two years (pox outbreaks may be recorded). Established grey
population within 2 km. (established => grey density of 2/ha in good grey habitat)
Green
Red squirrels present. Evidenced as "grey free" for a period of two years (no pox). No established grey population within 2 km.
(Established => grey density of 2/ha in grade 1 deciduous habitat)
Reserve name
Reserve Rationale
status
Grey control quality
Control recommendations
Whinfell
Amber
High quality
Greystoke
Amber
Whinlatter
Amber
Thirlmere
Amber
Garsdale
Green
Grey squirrels within 2km of the
reserve
Grey squirrels within 2km of the
reserve
Very limited incursion. Greys
immediately to the south.
Very limited incursion. Greys
immediately to the west
Grey free.
Widdale
Green
Grey free.
Greenfield
Red
Slaley/Dukesfield
Amber
70 greys removed from reserve
in 2010
Established greys within 2km.
Healey/Kellas
Red
Extensive incursion.
Continue current Centreparcs/P&D control
patterns
Monitor reserve and control surrounds using
EWGS funding
Protect reserve using RSNE ranger (5) to the
south. Build EWGS network.
Protect reserve using RSNE ranger (5) to the
west. Build EWGS network.
Continue current Tillhill/local group/NP control
and monitoring
Continue current Tillhill/local group/NP control
and monitoring
Continue current Tillhill/local group/NP control
and monitoring
Monitor reserve and control surrounds using
EWGS funding
Use BIFFA contractor & SITA capacity.
Coordinate with EWG control
Absent
High quality
Uncertain - to be
clarified with UU
Good quality confirm
Good quality confirm
Good quality confirm
Good quality confirm
Fragmented control
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Dipton/Dukehouse Red
Extensive incursion – WGS data
Fragmented control
Kielder
Green
Solid test trapping
undertaken by FC.
Raylees
Harwood
Kidland
Green
Green
Green
Uswayford
Green
Very limited grey penetration but
reserve centre appears grey
free. Additional monitoring
required.
Assumed to be grey free (FC)
Assumed to be grey free (FC)
Grey free (local group
monitoring)
Grey free (local group
monitoring)
Kyloe
Amber
Very limited incursion.
Sefton
Red
Pox in 2011.
Uncertain
Very limited
Monitored - control
not required
Unmonitored but
observed to grey
free
Good quality
monitoring in place
Good quality control
and monitoring in
place.
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Use BIFFA contractor & SITA capacity.
Coordinate with EWG control
Use RSNE rangers (2,3,4) to protect Kershope,
North Tyne and Rede approaches, with
contractor support. Monitor reserve boundaries.
Secure approaches using RSNE ranger 3
Secure new NT control package through EWGS.
Secure approaches using RSNE ranger 2
Secure approaches using RSNE ranger 2
Continue current control programme through
EWGS/local group.
Continue current LWT control programme, using
BIFFA as needed. Secure long term EWGS
funding.
Appendix 3 Principals of control
A variety of control approaches will be required across the RSNE control network. Two
examples of different control style are given below:
1. Low density grey squirrel distribution dispersed across a large, disjointed woodland
landscape (e.g. north-west Northumberland)
Control Approach




Low density of traps per woodland focused on habitat of high appeal to grey
squirrels, namely mature beach, oak and hazel, and with some seasonal variation
(see RSNE Control Guidelines), woodland with supplementary winter feeding of
game birds or likely incursion points on the perimeter of the woodland.
Traps should be pre-baited for 5-7 days and be set for a maximum of 5 days. Where
no grey squirrel captures are recorded, traps should be moved on to new woodland.
Where grey squirrels are recorded trapping should continue at the successful sites
for an additional 5 days after which time, if grey squirrels are still being recorded the
RSNE CO should be consulted.
Repeat trapping at previously successful sites within the same trapping season (FebSep) to assess re-incursion and effectiveness of original effort.
2. Medium to high density grey squirrel population in a known incursion corridor with
contiguous woodland (eg North Tyne valley, Northumberland).
Control Approach




A higher density of traps per woodland (1-2 per Ha) ensuring complete coverage of
the site during the first period of trapping with an emphasis on primary habitat.
Trap sites should be pre-baited for a period of 3-5 days, sites that fail to record any
captures within 3 days of being set should be re-located, either to new woodland or
to a site where repeated catches are being made.
Trapping should not continue at any one site for a period of more than 6 weeks and
not be re-trapped within 4 weeks, thus making full use of the vacuum effect by
allowing any animals that move into the woodland time to establish.
Continued trapping of the same site, no matter how high the habitat appeal,
increases the risk of disturbing newly arrived individuals and inadvertently causing
their dispersal away from the target area.
In some cases it may be necessary to adjust the trapping approach based on the landscape
or population of a particular area. This will be done on a site by site basis as agreed by the
RSNE CO/PM and agreed with the RSR responsible.
Some initial example sites will be assessed by the CO, to enable full training of RSR in both
control approaches and relevant habitat assessment.
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