Squirrels, Deer and Predators

Apparently the island of Anglesey is now free from grey squirrels after a lengthy programme of eradication. We are hearing that the result has been an increase in numbers of red squirrels up to a total of around 700, from 40 twenty years ago. Those who subscribe to the Times newspaper can read about this. Others will have to take my word for it that it is reported. One interesting sidelight on this is that some reds have started to cross the Menai Bridge onto the mainland. Presumably the UK Border Agency does not patrol there.

Does the grey squirrel cull on Anglesey have anything to tell us about the red deer cull here? The first thing to say is that red deer are comparable with the red squirrel rather than the unwanted grey and not just because of colour; both are native animals while the grey squirrel is an imported alien. The closest parallel with the greys would of course be the alien sheep and cattle that still colonise the moors. They are not being culled, or, as far as we know from the untransparent RSPB, even reduced in numbers. So once again those looking for consistency will be disappointed. An interesting comment in the article reveals that the wildlife trusts were not in favour of the grey squirrel cull because they don't agree with culls. So, being members of Sheffield Moors Partnership what's their position on the deer cull?

One lesson that might be learned comes from a study carried out in Ireland where red squirrels appear to have the edge over greys because of the presence of pine martens. Pine martens prey on squirrels but the evidence suggests they kill far more greys probably because greys spend more time on the ground. The trouble is pine martens have been more or less killed off in England and Wales.

So once again it looks as if the argument is gathering strength for re-introducing native predators previously wiped out. The lynx is surely preferable to the gun for controlling deer. Yet there is no evidence that the very conservative local conservation industry has even talked about it.