A major new front is to be opened up in the battle to save Scotland’s red squirrels with the creation of 18 ’stronghold areas’ across the country.
The Forestry Commission Scotland initiative, which is to be carried out in partnership with landowners and managers, will see around 100,000 ha of existing forest sites managed as refuges for red squirrels.
The proposed stronghold habitats - large forest networks possessing an existing red squirrel population - would be managed to create environments that are favoured by red squirrels but shunned by greys.
Launching a consultation on the project, Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham said:
"Strongholds are an important additional safeguard for the long-term survival of red squirrels in Scotland.
"A lot of work is being done to prevent the spread of grey squirrels and the squirrel pox virus they carry, but it is equally important that we find and manage habitats so as to give red squirrels a competitive advantage and the opportunity to thrive.
"Over time these sites will become increasingly welcoming habitats for red squirrels, but will remain of little interest to greys.
"It is encouraging and welcome that this initiative has won the backing and support of private landowners. Their co-operation and participation is vital if we are to ensure the success of this long term conservation opportunity."
Key to the management of these sites would be the development of consistent food supplies for red squirrels. Retaining older, cone-bearing conifers and diversifying conifer species would increase the food available to red squirrels. Restricting food sources preferred by greys - large seeded broadleaves such as oak, beech, chestnut and hazel - would discourage greys from moving into the stronghold areas. Trapping greys will help to protect the red squirrels if greys are ever found to be making significant incursions into the site.
The proposed stronghold sites – each at least 2000 hectares in size and including significant areas of conifer - are: 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
Apart from certain restrictions on tree species choice and modifications to felling patterns, other activities – such as recreation or timber production – would not be curtailed.
Anyone who would like to find out more and contribute to the development of stronghold areas can visit www.forestry.gov.uk/strongholdsconsultation on the Forestry Commission Scotland website and take part in the consultation, which runs until June 2009.
John Gallacher (ecologist with UPM Tilhill) said: "We are already integrating red squirrel conservation with commercial forest management and are pleased to see that some of the forests that we manage have been identified as potential strongholds.
"We welcome the fact that these sites will be a priority for grants for red squirrel conservation under the competitive Scotland Rural Development Programme."
Crispian Cook (Senior Land Agent with Bell Ingram, and Highland Representative on the Scottish Rural Property and Business Associations Red Squirrel Group) said: "While not every private woodland owner and forester will be able to have red squirrel conservation as a priority, we hope that sufficient numbers will support this stronghold initiative as an insurance policy to give red squirrels a secure future in Scotland, away from competition with non-native greys.
"The concept is a good one and we wait to see how it will be brought forward for the benefit of our iconic red squirrels while maintaining sustainable rural businesses which do so much good for their local economies."
