Squirrels

Well, let's put it this way: I like "Squirrels".
Just "Squirrels"...
I'm not saying "Grey" rathar than "Red"...
Unfortunately, the Red ones are weaker and much less adattable to urban enviroments than the Grey ones.
That's why I have been focusing on the Grey ones...
As a matter of fact, as you and the germans say (and others say) grey squirrels can make severe damages both to red squirrels as well as the whole environment generally speaking.
Now I wonder if we could "have it all".
I mean: both enjoying the presence of grey squirrel and - at the same time - keep them "under controll" so that they are prevented to make severe damages, their popolation and their displacement is controlled, etc.
I'm aware that it could not be easy...
I admit that much...
Yes, it's a problem...

 

Maksim your arguments are ludicrous. How can you justify the extinction of the Red Squirrel so that the disease infested, tree damaging Grey Squirrel takes over Europe?

 

we could solve two problems in one go with a simple law change and education campaign. It will never happen, but here's how it could be done.

Currently the law on 'poaching' is very strict, and maybe they should be, I don't know. But the fault lies in the fact that the laws relating to poaching don't take into account different characteristics of species.

Lets say that it became legally to hunt grey squirrels for food. The trespass, right to roam, and hunting laws wouldn't need to change, so for example it would still be illegal to damage a farmer's crops regardless of reason, but if you're somewhere you're allowed to be, and posing no danger to the public, livestock, crops or other property, then why not say that its ok to take grey squirrels for food?

That way, there could be more food on the market, and less grey squirrels. Two problems solved in one go. Same deal could be applied to wild rabbits.

My idea might sound ridiculous, but consider this: If you are a landowner, you have a legal obligation (pests act I think) to control the number of wild rabbits on your land. That means you have a legal obligation to either fence them in securely so they can't spread, or kill them. I believe grey squirrels have some legislation associated with them but I'm not sure of the details.

Controlling pest species is expensive for land owners. As a land owner myself, I'd be glad if someone sneaked onto my land when I wasn't there, shot a few rabbits (or grey squirrels), and went again leaving no damage. So why should the law be so hard on someone who is unfortunate enough to get caught coming off the land one night with a bag of rabbits or squirrels over his shoulder?

Less rabbits, grey squirrels, and deer (which are about the most destructive creatures on my land) means a balance more close to nature, more food on the market, and less cost to land owners which means production costs come down, and so everyone is better off.

Note how I said that hunting pest species takes us closer to a more natural balance. That sounds illogical, but remember that the reason we have some many of these pest species is that over the centuries, we've eradicated most of the natural predators, and introduced non-native species. That's the only reason there is a problem. We can't have wolves at large again, and many of our larger birds of prey have been pushed to the verge of extinction, so lets us eat the pest species to get their numbers back into equilibrium.

 

Actually I admit that much: Gray Squirrels are a problem both for Red Squirrels and bark gnawing.
OK.
BUT.
No way to do something so that we can have both Gray Squirrels, Red Squirrels, and healthy tree-barks in "SWEET ARMONY" ??
Nothing to do on that porpuse ?
I am just asking...
Red Squirrels prefer cold climates.
Gray Squirrels prefer mild climates.
So we have an int:
Red Squirrels in cold climate areas, Gray Squirrels in mild climate areas.
Still: maybe if you feed the Gray Squirrels then they do not gnaw tree bark anylonger...
I do not know...
Is it not possible to contain the Gray Squirrels strictly within parks boundaries ???
I do not know...
I JUST ASK.
PROBABLY I EXPECT SUCH A REPLY AS: "ABSOLUTELY NOT. GRAY SQUIRRELS AND RED SQUIRRELS CANNOT LIVE TOGETHER.
GRAY SQUIRRELS MUST BE ERADICATED TO PRESERVE RED SQUIRRELS.
GRAY SQUIRRELS MUST BE ERADICATED TO PRESERVE THE TREE BARKS"

I DON'T KNOW.

Bye !

 

After all this squirrels talking, I just cannot help thinking about this movie sequence from the movie RAT RACE.

 

We used to have lots of grey squirrels in our garden but I haven't seen one for ages .
I wonder where they all went ?

 

Pic source: flickr – lon&queta

(Ammospermophils harrisii); SE of San Manuel, AZ

 

Is that a squirrel, a Chipmunk or a Gopher?

 

I think it's to big for a chipmunk Dai.

 

flickr-ankakay