Aim
This aim of this long term project is to protect the existing Red Squirrel population in the area. It will also benefit the wider environment and develop greater community involvement in the management of Gillies Hill woodland.
Background
Grey Squirrels were introduced to the UK by Victorian landowners. They have steadily spread and have outcompeted Red Squirrels throughout most of England, Wales and Southern Scotland. In addition to the devastating impact Greys have had on the Red Squirrel population they also damage trees (Red Squirrels do not) and they carry squirrel pox which is fatal to Red Squirrels.
There have been various successful attempts to support Red Squirrels in recent years. These include large scale community wide projects such as in Anglesey and Aberdeen as well as small scale projects such as at nearby Argaty and Dunblane. Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) is a government funded initiative that is managing various similar projects in different areas of Scotland. CCDT will be working very closely with SSRS throughout the project.
What this means for CCDT
The woodland on Gillies Hill has a small population of Red Squirrels but Grey Squirrels are now being seen regularly in the woodland. If nothing is done then it is inevitable that the Greys will outcompete the Red Squirrels. A key part of this strategy involves the trapping and killing of Grey Squirrels in the woodland. CCDT members can vote on this at the 2025 AGM on August 26th.
The vote is worded as follows: ‘Do you support the humane trapping and killing of Grey Squirrels in the community woodland in line with nationally recognised best practice as part of our strategy to protect the native Red Squirrel population?’ YES/NO
To make an informed decision about this proposal please read the full proposal below:
The proposed long term strategy for supporting our Red Squirrels has 6 components:
- Encouraging people to report sightings of both Red and Grey Squirrels.
A poster campaign was started at the end of 2024 and reporting of both Red and Grey Squirrel sightings in the area has increased significantly as a result. People tend to report Reds but not Greys and it is recommended we continue the campaign because it is giving us valuable data about both populations. It is helping us to identify the corridors and hedgerows that Greys are using to colonise the woodland as they spread from Stirling.
- Raising awareness of the issues. Listening, educating, dialogue
A drop-in session was held in April 2025 that was well attended. If the strategy is agreed by CCDT members then it is proposed that further sessions will be organised and a group of volunteers established. - Re structuring dark woods. providing sanctuary, planting species
The mix of tree species can influence the balance of competition between Reds and Greys. Broadleaved woodland containing trees that produce small seed species such as birch, rowan, willow, alder and ash are more likely to support Red Squirrels because Grey Squirrels prefer larger seeds from broadleaf trees such as sycamore, oak, beech, chestnut and hazel. Red Squirrel populations depend on having a sufficient area of wooded habitat, which continuously provides seeds and nuts to support populations in the long-term. Conifer woodlands are suitable habitat for Red Squirrels where they have the competitive advantage over greys.
The following trees are regarded as favourable: Douglas fir, Larch, Corsican Pine, Scots Pine , Lodgepole Pine, Norway Spruce, Omorika Spruce, Yew, Crab apple, Sitka spruce.
It is proposed that this be taken into careful consideration when re structuring the Dark Woods. - Construct, install and monitor Pine Martin boxes
Pine Martins predate Grey Squirrels. Research suggests that Grey Squirrels are easier prey than Reds. We now know that Pine Martins are in the woodland because we have seen them on trail cameras but do not yet know how many. Four Pine Martin boxes have already been installed in the woodland. We plan to install more boxes in suitable locations and collect more data. - Trapping Grey Squirrels in gardens around Cambusbarron.
At least 3 households are acting as ‘trap hosts’ for SSRS in the Cambusbarron area. We aim to encourage more people to do so. CCDT will help by publicising the scheme and helping SSRS contact those households who are interested in being trap hosts. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some people locally are trapping and culling Grey Squirrels on their property. We will make every effort to monitor that activity to ensure it is being done humanely and within the law. - Trapping and killing Grey Squirrels in the community woodland.
This will only be undertaken by one or two named SSRS volunteers with oversight by Trustees. CCDT will publicise the trapping activities and put CCDT members who wish to assist in touch with SSRS. They will be volunteering for SSRS and working under the direction of the SSRS volunteer leader. Those volunteers will regularly check any live traps. If anything is in the trap the SSRS volunteer leader will be informed immediately and attend. The volunteer leader is trained to despatch greys in line with nationally recognised best practice (it is illegal to re-release Grey Squirrels). If any animal other than a Grey Squirrel is in the trap then it will be released. When it is not possible to check traps daily the traps will be closed down.
One Trustee will act as coordinator of activities, meet regularly with the lead volunteer and will report monthly to the Board of Trustees.