Red Squirrels Fighting Back

[Dr B 186]

OK, I've been chatting with a friend of a friend about a new perm (cant say where). This perm involves massive woodland and its a big job. I've been told that the issue is both red and grey squirrels are now present in the same woodland and the owner wants the greys gone.

 

During the chat I was told that the reds are actually 'fighting back'. Their numbers are doing well, and some attacks have been witnessed where the reds held their ground (though I've yet to chat to the source of this info). However, the problem now is the greys are increasing more than the reds (apparently). So it may be a numbers game in the long run - hence the call to me for helping out.

 

The really nice thing is the owner wanted an airgunner - not shotguns or full rifles. He does not want people taking pot shots at the other quarry onsite (pheasants, game birds, deer) and he had heard that airguns were great for the job of squirrel blatting. So, thumbs up to all of you out there doing the right thing for our reputation. He was also unimpressed with others that had contacted him about shooting rights on his land. He suspected many were after his deer. I'm looking forward to this one and helping the reds cement their place in the woodland.

 

Next job, build about 20 feeders and spread them around with Bluetooth webcams on them to monitor activity. Do the research, then - its on!

Edited April 5, 2015 by Dr B

[random 659]

The feeders could also become spots to take care of a few greys as well,shelf on the side so there's somewhere to sit and munch a peanut while they wait for the delivery of a little piece of lead!!

 

Would like to know more about the reds progress and see a few pics in the future...

[Dr B 186]

Sure thing re the feeders

 

I'll certainly keep you posted on the situation, though may struggle with pics as I don't have a mobile phone....! However, will certainly keep you up to date.

 

I'm going to try to write a computer programme that will cycle through the webcam footage to periods when it was triggered and just highlight those periods for viewing. Then we can map the activity of both species, the locations, times, etc, then I'll be ready to move in. I'm really chuffed to be involved with this as there are only a few areas in the country where we now have reds, so this is an important project. I'm also chuffed to learn that the reds are fighting back, literally, from what I hear.

[random 659]

It would be nice to see large areas of reds all over and worth the effort,it will be a tough challenge though and the reds definitely need the help,good luck with it...

[ciaran 2]

Obviously a worthwhile job, any help you can give our native species is well worth while, the fact that you get to enjoy some hunting outings is just a bonus.

 

Apparently corn is a good feed for greys, the red won't touch it, so if your feeders are getting empty and they have corn in them, you know its greys

[Dr B 186]

Thanks Ciaran

 

I had not thought of corn, but will give it a whirl at some of the feeders and report back. Nice tip and I love to experiment. Cheers man.

[charlie caller 3,654]

Get some poles to poke out the dreys as well mate, shame you cant use a shotgun to blast them, but if you cant, you cant, drey poking is a very good method of reducing the grey squirrel population, and is great sport as well

[Dr B 186]

Thanks Charlie, advice greatly appreciated. Will be back up there in a week or so, so will report back though at the moment its a fact-finding mission. I will definitely be following your suggestion as part of our approach and will let you know how things are going.

 

Edited April 7, 2015 by Dr B

[forest of dean redneck 11,722]

Can't help,but good luck with culling the greys,and hope the Reds prosper.

[charlie caller 3,654]

Thanks Charlie, advice greatly appreciated. Will be back up there in a week or so, so will report back though at the moment its a fact-finding mission. I will definitely be following your suggestion as part of our approach and will let you know how things are going.

 

And when he decides he needs some deer culling(obviously you are going to hint that he REALLY should have a management plan in place) you know who to call

[Dr B 186]

sure do....