The National Trust for Scotland fears that in the future visitors to some of its Highland properties, where red squirrels have been commonplace, will no longer be able to see the iconic animal. As part of its response to these fears the Trust plans to carry out a squirrel census at all its properties over the next year.
The census forms part of the charity’s red squirrel conservation plan which it has shared during Red Squirrel week.
The Trust has red squirrel populations at many of its properties from the red squirrel “stronghold” of Brodick Country Park on Arran to areas where the species are competing with their grey cousins, such as the Threave estate in Dumfries and Galloway.
Establishing the extent of both red and grey squirrels at its properties will help give a picture of the distribution of both species across Scotland. There is continuing concern that grey squirrels are continuing to expand northwards as well as further into Dumfries and Galloway, putting red squirrels at risk.
The conservation plan also advocates more sensitive woodland management, focussed grey squirrel control and even the use of warning signs for motorists in some areas to the possibilities of red squirrels on the road, and the use of road bridges in some locations too.
Nature Adviser for the Trust, Mr Lindsay Mackinlay said: “People are rightfully concerned about the future of polar bears and tigers on this planet, yet what many folk often forget that some of Scotland’s very own species are also in trouble. One of those is the red squirrel.
“A lot of organisations and landowners are deeply concerned about the future of red squirrels in Scotland and are working hard to save the species. It seems only right that the National Trust for Scotland continues to also work hard to conserve one of our most iconic mammals. We find it shocking that there is a very real possibility that we may not see these delightful animals at places like Killiecrankie or Mar Lodge in the future. This plan sets out what we’re prepared to do to help red squirrels in Scotland. We hope the public will support us in this work.”
There are two million grey squirrels in the UK and only about 140,000 native red squirrels, mostly in Scotland. Grey squirrels, which were introduced to Britain, out-compete reds and infect them with a lethal pox.