
‘Unwavering dedication’ and ‘remarkable service’ rewarded at The Game Fair
This year’s recipients of BASC’s prestigious annual honours were presented with their awards at The Game Fair yesterday, 27 July.
Get information on the legal shooting season for mammals and birds in the UK.
Apply for funding for your project or make a donation today
Comprehensive information and advice from our specialist firearms team.
Everything you need to know about shotgun, rifle and airgun ammunition.
Find our up-to-date information, advice and links to government resources.
Everything you need to know on firearms law and licensing.
All the latest news and advice on general licences and how they affect you.
Gavin Howe explains how you can help our native red squirrels and our woodland by volunteering to control the destructive grey invaders.
For many of us, controlling grey squirrels has become an essential part of our woodland management efforts.
A stroll through areas occupied by grey squirrels will reveal the negative impact these non-native species can have on the overall health of our woodland ecosystems. Most obvious is bark stripping, which weakens the structure of trees and leaves them vulnerable to disease, reducing their economic value. But, squirrel predation of nests also leads to depletion of songbird numbers and the damage they cause to feeders and nest boxes has both conservation and financial impacts.
Although the battle to control the grey menace is UK-wide, the front-line in the war against this invasive species is being fought in areas where our iconic and cherished native red squirrel still has a foothold.
Once a common sight across the UK, red squirrels have faced extinction on a national level for a number of years. They have been squeezed out of much of their preferred natural habitat by the greys and, more significantly, have been decimated by the squirrel pox virus. This disease is only carried by grey squirrels but is very easily transmitted to reds, usually with fatal results. One grey carrying the virus can potentially wipe out a whole colony of reds.
Preventing greys from moving into areas where red squirrels remain presents enormous year-round challenges. Constant monitoring of red squirrel colonies to ensure they remain healthy and have the appropriate habitat to survive is a priority.
Having both species in the same area also limits the methods available to control greys. Live capture traps and shooting are the only options, which are both time-consuming and costly, so raising public awareness and funds are key.
The use of thermal imaging, trail cameras and new trap designs have all been game-changing in helping to control greys.Â
A squirrel pox vaccine, a contraceptive to slow the reproduction rate of grey squirrel numbers, and the use of AI may all provide useful methods in the future, but require rigorous testing. It’s likely to be some years before they are available, meaning the current methods are our only hope in preserving remaining numbers.
There are many ways in which you can get involved to protect red squirrels:
Grey squirrel management doesn’t have to cost lots of money. Squirrel groups can sometimes supply traps, feeders and feed. If shooting is your preferred method, an airgun, feeder and basic hide is all you need.
Additional information supplied by Jerry Moss, an employed squirrel ranger operating in the North of England and a trustee of Penrith & District Red Squirrel Group.
This year’s recipients of BASC’s prestigious annual honours were presented with their awards at The Game Fair yesterday, 27 July.
BASC’s wildfowling advisor Chris Wright writes about the importance of protecting remarkable environments like Lindisfarne.
You can be part of shooting’s reprisal against United Utilities’ decision not to renew shoot leases on its land.