Grey squirrels were first introduced into Britain from the USA in 1876 to Henbury Hall, Cheshire in 1876 by the Brocklehurst family. Release of Grey Squirrels into Britain continued until 1915. Grey Squirrels are an introduced invasive species, are classed as vermin and as such have no conservation protection.

Grey Squirrels are thought to be responsible for the decline in the Red Squirrel population because they are larger and compete for food and also carry the deadly Squirrel Pox virus to which they appear to have immunity but the smaller more vulnerable Reds do not.

Grey squirrels eat seeds, buds, insects, certain fungi, bird’s eggs and nestlings are sometimes taken. They strip the bark from trees to reach the spongy tissue below the bark. The Forestry Commission estimates that Grey Squirrels cause an estimated one billion pounds of damage to trees in Britain each year through the habit of bark stripping.

Whilst the Lune Rivers Trust does not necessarily advocate the wholesale cull of Grey Squirrels, we are working to make the Lune catchment RED by controlling the greys. We aim to establish areas where our native Red Squirrels can survive and thrive, especially along riverside corridors and in specific areas where they are already established or can be established in the future. For further help or advice please contact our Squirrel Officer Gary Murphy on 015396 24788 or 07974 788434.

How you can help

• Contribute to our survey of Red squirrel populations in your area. We would like to hear of any sightings of Red Squirrels in the Lune Valley. We would also like to know if you see Red Squirrels killed on the road.
• Donate to the Lune Rivers Trust for tree planting along Rivers and Becks. This will help to maintain the bank-side and establish habitat for Red Squirrel populations in the future as well as other wildlife.
• Plant native trees in your garden, in a small garden you may consider Rowan, Bird Cherry, Hawthorn, Sloe, Elder, Hazel Crab Apple and Holly. These provide valuable food and shelter for a variety of wildlife. In larger gardens native trees such as Oak, Beech, Ash, Alder, Hornbeam and Birch could be planted.