Squirrels

I want to talk about a topic non-gardening related: squirrels.
Apparently "non-gardening related".
On my opinion there is however a relevance with the gardening issue.
Indeed, squirrels can be considered as "decorative/recreational elements" of open spaces including parks and gardens.
Just to mention an example, that's the picture in London Royal Parks.
Consequently, the topic "squirrels" is not completely abstruse with this forum.
Having said that, I want to report what I have found about squirrels.
I have done a brief search in internet.
For example, I have also visited the wikipedia website.
Among the various squirrels species, two of them are the best known:
red squirrels and grey squirrels.
Grey squirrels are native of North America.
Red squirrels are european.
So, Grey squirrels have been introduced into Europe.
But not into the whole Europe.
Only into Ireland, Britain and Italy (my country).
So in Ireland, Britain and Italy, we have two squirrel populations.
The population of red squirrels (autoctone of Europe) and the population of grey squirrel (introduced from North America).
Red squirrels and grey squirrels have raughly the same size.
They have also similiar habits and behaviors.
They have similiar eating habits as well.
But there are some differences.

1. Grey squirrels can live in restricted areas. Red ones can not.
Grey squirrels can live in densely squirrel populated areas. Red ones can not.
That may occur when build-up areas erode space to woods areas.

2. Grey squirrels are disease resistant. Red ones are not.
Wikipedia says:
"red squirrels are fatally affected by the disease, while the eastern gray squirrels are unaffected but thought to be carriers. The red squirrel is also less tolerant of habitat destruction and fragmentation which has led to its population decline, while the more adaptable eastern gray squirrel has taken advantage and expanded."

3. On the whole, grey squirrels have a better fitness.
Wikipedia says:
"The eastern gray squirrel tends to be larger and stronger than the Red Squirrel and has been shown to have a greater ability to store fat for winter."

As a result of these differences, Wikipedia talk about "displacement of red squirrels" (on behalf of grey squirrels).
Talking about the picture in United Kingdom, Wikipedia says:
"In the United Kingdom, the eastern gray squirrel has few natural predators. This has aided its rapid population growth and has led to the species being classed as a pest. Measures are being devised to reduce its numbers, including one plan for celebrity television chefs to promote the idea of eating the squirrels. In areas where relict populations of red squirrels survive, such as the islands of Anglesey and Brownsea , programs seeking to eradicate pest squirrels are in progress in an effort to allow Red Squirrel populations to recover."

Actually I would not guess that in Britain there is an attempt to "eradicate" grey squirrels.
On the contrary I can see lot of grey squirrels in London Royal Parks.
Still, It seems to me that grey squirrels are loved by the british people.
Still, I would not define grey squirrels as a "pest".
Indeed, it seems to me that in Britain no tragedy is on the way because of these "terrible grey sqirrels"... Am I wrong ???
Instead, In Italy there are different views/opinions.
In Italy there is concern to prevent the spread of the grey squirrels.
As if they were talking about a disease spreading...
In Italy there is concern to avoid grey squirrels to pass-by the borders and enter France, Switzerland, Austria and thence overrun the whole european continent.
Of course Britain has not this concern because Britain is an island and has no borders with other countries...
But probably the concern to avoid grey squirrels to displace european red squirrels exist.
It probably exist in Europe. I mean, in continental Europe.
I've been recently travelled to Germany.
To Frankfurt.
I visited some Frankfurt city parks.
I did not see any grey squirrels there.
Instead I see many little rabbits like these:





I was wondering WHY. ???
Why in Frankfurt city parks (even road gardens) are there rabbits in place of grey squirrels ?
Maybe because in Germany they do not want that grey squirrels displace red squirrels.
Anyway I think: "who cares ?"
Why in Britain they allow grey squirrels whereas in Italy and in other european countries it seems to be so much concern about ????????
Who knows....:cnfs:

 

There is also quite a lot of debate concerning grey squirrels and what should be done about them here in the UK, Maksim. Some people are in favour of culling them on the basis that they're not a native species. Personally I think it's a little late for that down here in the South East, although I believe there are still red squirrels on the Isle of Wight and I do think it's worth trying to protect them.

I think I'm right in saying (I'm sure Alice and the rest of the Scots forum members will know more) that the red squirrel fares better than the grey in parts of Scotland because it is better adapted to the colder climate and consequently there isn't quite the same problem with greys taking over.

 

The Isle of Wight is grey squirrel free, although the authorities fret everytime a dead squirrel is washed up on the shores.

 

Do you think they're making a swim for it?

 

Hi Maksim,

You are right, apart from the highlands & islands, its too late to do anything about the grey squirrels.

My wife was asking about eating them yesterday, as if she's not fat enough already.

There are black squirrels in bedfordshire, saw some when I was working there.

 

We're lucky enough to have the red squirrels here - and NOT to have the rabbits.
Yes, I've seen the black squirrels in USA and in the south of England.
I was told that their genetic makeup is exactly the same as the grey squirrels. Do you know if that is correct Ziggy ?

 

I think so Alice,

I think they are just a variety of grey.

The ones I saw were on the Whitbread's stately home, so probably kept there as part of the ornamental park, bit like they white pidgeons.

 

Red Squirrals abound where I am live, they visit my garden, I visit them in a local garden and I see them out walking. There is good news as well, there is evidence to suggest that their are some Red Squirrals with a resistance to the infection they can get from the Grey Squirral carriers. Down the road (10 miles) Grey and Red Squirrals live in harmony in the same wood and seem to be thriving.

 

Hi to everybody !
In my previous post on this thread I listed all the features that make the grey squirrel be "winning" versus the red squirrel (in the competition to thrive) but I forgot to mention one single feature that plays in fovour of the red squirrel.
I have read somewhere in the net that in broad leaved trees forests/ woods/ habitats the "winner" is defenetely the grey squirrel.
But in the conifer forests, it is a completely different ball game.
In these habitats the "winner" is defenetely the red squirrel.
That's because the red squirrel is defenetely more able than the grey squirrel to get food from the cones of conifer trees.
Probably that's the reason why, for example, in Scotland red squirrels are surely more "lucky" than elsewhere in Britain.
Indeed, Scotland is colder than elsewhere in Britain and consequently has conifer forests.
Elsewhere in Britain conifer forests are very very scarce (above all in the south like Kent, Surrey, etc.).
Scotland is colder than the rest of Britain mainly because of two reasons.
Firstly because is norther than the rest of Britain.
Secondly because it is a mountain land.
In Italy, it is the same story.
In the mountains and expecially in the Alps regions (starting, let's say, from an altitude 2,000 - 3,000 ft above sea level) red squirrels are absolutely the masters of the areas.
Indeed these areas can be considered cool-cold due to the altitude.
That's what I have red about Italy.
As far as black squirrels is concern, I have read that they are some melanism samples.
The same things occurs, for example, with black panthers.
Namely, they are melanism samples of leopards.

Byeeeeee ! 0)

 

You are right about the pine trees. Brownsea Island has got Scots & Maritime pines.

 

I must say that the Gulf Stream / North Atlantic Drift makes "miracles".
It gives to the British Channel shorelands a mild climate and a lush vegetation that are worthy of the name "Riviera".
At the same latitudes in Canada, for example, we have the polar landscapes of Newfoundland.
I've seen some pictures of Brownsea Island and if I would have not read "Brownsea Island" I would have thought they might be some pictures taken in the French or Italian Riviera (where there is a great deal of Maritime pines).

 

I recently visited a german forum about animals.
In that forum, I ask the following question:
"I lived in London for a few monthes.
In London there are Gray Squirrels in parks as well as in suburb streets.
So, my question is:
why in Germany are there Gray Squirrels nor in parks neither in suburb streets ?
When I was in Germany (both in Frankfurt and in Hamburg) I saw only little rabbits (in parks as well as in suburb streets).
As far as I am concerned, I find that Gray Squirrels are more cute than little rabbits (according to my personal tastes).
Why don't you the germans place Gray Squirrels in your towns and in your parks ?"

I have got two answers.
The first one is:

"We the germans do love our Red Squirrels.
We don't want and we don't need any Gray Squirrel.
The fact that the english made a mistake, that does not imply that we have to make their same mistake."

The second one is:

"The Gray Squirrels are displacing the Red Squirrels.
Unfortunately the Red Squirrels are just a few in our continent.
We need to preserve them.
Gray Squirrels are native of America and they are a sort of pestilence that makes a great damage to the whole wildlife.
They have brought a virus that is not dangerous for themselves but it certainly is dangerous for Red Squirrels.
Furthermore they make damages to the Woodland due to their lifestyle.
That's why over here nobody thought to introduce the Gray Squirrel.
They could gnaw trees, they could be harmful to other animals and they could alter the whole balance in wildlife."

So, my question - here in Gardenerscorner Forum - is:
what is the picture like in Britain ?
I mean:
is it such a "catastrophic situation" where trees are in danger due to the fact that Gray Squirrels are gnawing their barks ???
Is the whole wildlife at risk because of Gray Squirrels ???
Are other animals in danger because of Gray Squirrels ???
I already do know that - in Britain - Red Squirrels certainly are ...
But what about other animals ???
How do the english "cope" with the "threat" of the Gray Squirrels ??? (my tone is ironic :D).
Are really all the trees in London's parks at risk or have they some diseases because of the presence of Gray Squirrels ???
When I was there I did not notice that...

What's your opinion, view, evidence, report of you the english that can experience what the presence of Gray Squirrels in your land is all about ?

Thanks

 

These are interesting posts you make, Maksim, are you doing a study/exam on the subject ?

 

We get more damage to trees from deer & rabbits than we do grey squirels. When they can't find food, they raid bird tables.

In our local bird reserve at Fivehead,

Fivehead Woods and Meadow - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There are bird feeders hanging from the trees in the winter. Each one has a little fat squirel sitting under it eating the stuff the birds drop.

I'll take a pic next winter

 

Actually, no study neither exam.
I have always had bad school results because I am intelligent but I am not so much intelligent.
Knoledge is simply my "Enterteinment".
I do not study to pass an exam.
That's no good. I am aware of it.
For me knowledge is one among other enterteinments
in the same way as TV, Theather, Cinema, Rock concerts, discos, being with friends, etc. are other enterteinments.
That's the way it is.

Bye !