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Protect our Trees

The Government is being urged to take steps to protect Britain’s woodlands, particularly in the light of the outbreak of the ash tree disease Chalara fraxinea, by the European Squirrel Initiative (ESI).“Once again Britain’s woodlands are under threat and the Government must take action to protect our native trees not only from disease but also from the damage caused by the invasive alien American Grey Squirrel,” said ESI Chairman George Farr. In a letter to the Environment Secretary, Owen Paterson, Mr Farr urged the Government to back up any broadleaf planting with effective nationwide

Red squirrels on verge of extinction in Northern Italy

Red squirrels are now “on the verge of extinction” in Piedmont, Northern Italy according to researchers at the Universities of Turin, Genoa and Varese.The information published earlier this month states that the disappearance of the red squirrel, the only native tree squirrel species in Italy, is caused by the grey squirrel, the species native to North America which was introduced into Italy 60 years ago.  “The two species compete for food resource and the presence of the American grey squirrel is causing the local extinction of our European red squirrel which has disappeared from the

Welcome - with reservation - for Government Forestry Report

The report published by the Independent Panel on Forestry into the future of England’s forest and woodlands, published last week has been welcomed by a leading wildlife charity, The European Squirrel Initiative.“We welcome the recognition the panel has given to the importance of England’s woods and forests and the value of wood as a raw material, however, hand in hand with this recognition has to go an effective control programme of woodland pests in particular the grey squirrel,” said George Farr Chairman of the European Squirrel Initiative. The report, which calls for the benefits of

International call for action on grey squirrels

Scientists from around the world have called for governments and international bodies to take strong action against invasive squirrel species, including eradication and a ban on trade. Meeting in Kyoto City, Japan, over 40 scientists from nine countries and three continents voted on a resolution which underlined the threat posed to biodiversity and human activity by invasive squirrel species.  Between 1876 and 2006 there were 248 identified introductions of squirrels involving 20 species.Speaking at the conference, Professor Sandro Bertolino from the University of Turin highlighted the

Predation of woodland songbirds: grey squirrels have a case to answer

Two years’ research by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust indicates that grey squirrels have a significant effect on certain woodland birds’ fledging success. In a pioneering project, which tested the effects of removing grey squirrels from groups of woods, some birds experienced a better success in rearing fledged young than in a comparable group of woods where no squirrel control was undertaken.“The results from this research work indicated that grey squirrels at particular densities have a noticeable effect on some birds, particularly those which have open nests, rather than nesting

Red Squirrels under threat

Red squirrels could be extinct on mainland Britain within 20 years, according to a review of the plight of British Mammals by Oxford University’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU). The report highlights the retreat of the red squirrel as the most significant example of a mammal under threat.Press Release       Until the introduction of the grey squirrels from America in the 1850s the red squirrel was found throughout Britain. The grey squirrel out competes the red for food but, more significantly carries a lethal disease called squirrelpox virus. Nowadays greys

Grey squirrels spread tree disease

Concern is growing that the spread of Phytophthora ramorum, which causes extensive damage and mortality to trees in the United Kingdom, is closely linked to grey squirrels.Anecdotal evidence now suggests that trees damaged by grey squirrels are particularly prone to infection and grey squirrels themselves are carrying disease spores from tree to tree. Phytophthora ramorum, a fungus-link pathogen of plants, is killing large numbers of Japanese Larch in the UK. Prior to 2009 few trees were affected, however since 2010 the disease was initially found on Japanese Larches, particularly in

New Chairman appointed for leading squirrel conservation charity

The European Squirrel Initiative (ESI) has appointed a new Chairman, George Farr.  Mr Farr a landowner from Northumberland, took over as Chairman on the 5thJuly from Miles Barne the charities founder Chairman.“I am delighted to have been appointed Chairman of ESI, it is a great privilege to be leading such a worthwhile and effective charity which is fighting for a cause so dear to my heart,” said Mr Farr. ESI, which was founded in 2002 is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of the red squirrel through the control of the invasive American grey squirrel. “Much has been

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