Forestry Commission Scotland to establish Red Squirrel Strongholds
published this on 10:00 am, Tuesday, 15th December, 2009Community News| Tourism activities | Comments (rss) | Respond | Ping |
Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) has received strong support for the concept of establishing a series of 18 red squirrel strongholds across Scotland, including locations in Argyll.
Each site will be at least 2000 hectares in size, creating around 100,000 ha of the best forest sites in Scotland, managed as refuges for red squirrels, focusing on ensuring food supplies for reds (from cone bearing conifers) and restricting food sources preferred by greys (large seeded broadleaves).
FCS will work with landowners and local communities, aiming to finalise stronghold maps and develop suitable management plans in all the 18 locations proposed in the consultation (Argyll areas given in bold):
- Ordiequish/Whiteash/Ben Aigan
- Eredine
- Culbin Forest
- Inverliever
- Kilmichael
- Glentochty
- Black Isle
- South Rannoch
- Glen Glass
- Fleet Basin
- Morangie Forest
- Daviot Loch Moy,
- Inshriach and Glenfeshie
- Leanachan
- Balmoral to Inver
- Eskdalemuir
- Glenbranter
- Abernethy
- Nethy Bridge.
Following consultations earlier this year, the Commission will lead the work to plan and manage the 18 stronghold sites that will help safeguard the country’s surviving red squirrel population.
A stakeholder group will be formed early in 2010 to take the plans forward and to develop guidance for land managers. This guidance will help in the managing of stronghold areas in balance with other objectives like increasing wider wildlife benefits from woodlands.
Welcoming the development, Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham says: ‘Red squirrels are an important and high-profile part of Scotland’s biodiversity so it is crucial that we do what we can to safeguard their long-term survival.
‘It is not enough to simply control grey squirrels. We also need to ensure that we protect and manage those habitats that allow red squirrels to thrive but which are unappealing for greys.
‘The backing and support of landowners means that we can now take forward plans that will ensure the success of this long term conservation opportunity.’
Supplementing and complementing work to control the spread of greys and the squirrel pox virus they carry, the strongholds will be developed by Forestry Commission Scotland in association with landowners and managers, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and other parts of the Scottish Government.
Ron McDonald, Head of Policy and Advice for SNH says: ‘Grey squirrels have already displaced red squirrels from most of England and Wales, as well as Scotland’s central belt.
‘Fortunately, much of the north of Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway are still grey-free. But with sightings of greys becoming more frequent even in some of these areas, it’s essential that we act quickly to protect red squirrels and prevent the greys’ further migration.
‘Developing red squirrel strongholds is part of a larger strategy in Scotland, alongside the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels project, and will, we believe, play an important part in making sure red squirrels flourish in Scotland. We were very pleased to see the support for these proposals, as these strongholds will no doubt play an important part in making sure red squirrels flourish in Scotland.’
Forestry Commisson Scotland’s website carries further information on the development of stronghold sites and the full response by FCS to the consultation.
Related Posts
The Latest News from ForArgyll delivered via email, weekly or daily. You know it makes sense!
Comments (rss) | Respond | Ping | | Print This Post
Loading...
December 15th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
If the Forestry commission think they are so good at setting up sites to protect red squirrels why are they cutting trees down in Blairadam Forest (Fife) where red squirrels have been seen on several occasions. My partner has been walking in Blairadam Forest almost every day for the last two years and has watched red squirrels over that time.
He told the forestry commission that there were red squirrels there when he noticed signs to say that they would be cutting down the trees. He has spoken to them and sent emails to them stating that they were in three areas in Blairadam Forest that he was aware of and even pointed the areas out on a map when he spoke to them.
The Forestry commission assured him that they would look into it but after a 1 week survey (haha) they went and cut the trees down anyway – there goes the few red squirrels in that area????