The start of 2010 was a good year for red squirrels on the river Lune. We now have a strong population from Newbiggin-on-Lune down to Tebay. We have a feeding programme for reds in Brockholes wood at Salterwath Bridge where they have been seen for the first time since trapping of the grey squirrels began. In 2007 we had to take drastic action to protect and encourage the reds, so we trapped 62 greys squirrels there, but only 10 in 2010. Red squirrels have been sighted along the Lune to Sedbergh, but disappointingly from Sedbergh the greys take over spreading down the Lune valley to Lancaster.

We have had a good response from individuals who have taken or bought traps and are trapping grey squirrels from Barbon to the Crook O’ Lune. The grey squirrels at the Crook were tested for the deadly squirrel pox virus and sadly this was confirmed as positive in the animal tested. The grey squirrels appear to be able to fend off this disease which is devastating to the smaller red squirrel. Not only do the grey squirrels have the advantage over the red squirrels in this aspect of immunity they are also able to digest seeds, fruit and berries before they are fully ripe and also eat seven times the amount of food that the reds require, so competition with the red squirrels is extremely intense. If you would like advice on controlling grey squirrel populations in your area please contact me on 01539 624 788 or contact me via the LRT website.

I would like to thank all the people who are helping to control the grey squirrels. Please can we ask all of you reading this article not to destroy old squirrel dreys because these are used by long eared owls for nesting. Thank you to the many who have fed the red squirrels in your area this year, please keep up the good work!

If you spot red squirrels or would like to help control the greys, please contact Gary on 01539 624 788 or 07974788434.