A new plan sees the Ministry of Defence join cause with pine martens in a move which research suggests could help red squirrels.
Grey squirrels have for a long time encroached on the habitats traditionally occupied by the native species of red squirrels in Britain. The have several advantages, they are bigger than red squirrels, they eat a more varied diet and although they carry squirrelpox they are far less likely to die from it that the reds.
Research suggests however that they may have a weakness when faced with predators native to the UK but which have also been in long term decline. Research from Wales where pine martens, a long brown weasel-like creature was reintroduced between 2015 and 2017 suggests that the grey squirrels have less defence than the native reds which would have evolved along side pine martens for thousands of years.
There was a catastrophic collapse of grey squirrels as soon as the pine martens arrived, and the red squirrels came back with the pine martens.
Huw Denman, a forester from Carmarthenshire
Now the Ministry of Defence in Scotland is encouraging settlement of pine martens on their land at the Kirkcudbright Training Centre by placing den boxes. There is evidence that pine martens traverse the land but do not yet have a settled population. With help from the Dumfries and Galloway Pine Marten Group the boxes could attract pine martens which would eventually prey on invasive grey squirrels leaving more of an opening for the reds to return.
Looking after our land and wildlife is extremely important to DIO. We’re hopeful this will make a real difference to the ecology of the area by encouraging the return of native red squirrels.
Warrant Officer Scott Maclean
Squirrel Picture Credit: Peter Trimming
Pine Marten Picture Credit: Sylvia Duckworth
