Grey Squirrel

[busy_lizzie]

On the way to the vets with the dog this morning, saw a grey squirrel in the nearby park.  Couldn't believe my eyes as have never ever seen a grey squirrel up here in the north east.  We have red ones in our forests in Northumberland.  Don't  say that we have been invaded up here as well.  Do I need to notify anyone?  :-\ busy_lizzie

[busy_lizzie]

[Rosa_Mundi]

I think it's known to be there, Lizzie - have a look at this 1998 distribution map:
http://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/website/forestresearch.nsf/ByUnique/BEB33F49A13F6D9880256FA200537E12

As an aside, I have one in the garden that screams at you when you chase it - am hoping it's not rabid.

[busy_lizzie]

Thank you Rosa, that is very helpful.  :) busy_lizzie

[Debs]

Wow Busy Lizzie,

Which park was that?

PS

Must see pumpkins and my overgrown plot!

Debs

[busy_lizzie]

Debs, We nearly ran it over, it was crossing from Churchill Playing Fields entrance to Souter Park where the tennis courts are.  It was definitely a squirrel as it lingered a while after it crossed the road.  :) busy_lizzie

[reedos]

Hi Busy Lizzie - they moved into our part of Gateshead about 18 months/ 2 years ago, we've never had any reds so I guess they can't have done any harm here. I made enquiries when I first saw them and nobody seemed too bothered, which surprised me cos listening to some wildlife people greys are almost the spawn of the devil.
Try the wildlife officer at the council (if they have one) he/she might be interested.

[Maddy]

I was a volunteer years and years ago at the Squirrel Reserve in Freshfields, Merseyside (back when I was a real scouser and didn't live down South!) they have imported red squirrels and had to work really hard to keep the greys out as they are massive bully boys (and girls) and beat the poor little reds literally to death...try as I might though I can't bring myself to dislike any squirrels...they all look so cuddly  :-\  I'm such a sucker I know  ::)

M.

[busy_lizzie]

Hi reedos, Nice to hear from another geordie.  Will check with the Council Park Warden - thanks.  Know what you mean Maddy, they have got a bad reputation but they do look cute.  :) busy_lizzie

[anneski]

I have huge problems with greys. There are dozens around here, they wreck bird feeders and steal the food (despite having their own feeder, which is supposed to help) and they bury stuff in the garden, digging up all the newly planted bulbs and plants, they burrow into my raised beds and damage the crops by biting and scratching them, they've bitten holes into my bins, plastic storage sheds (those big solid tool stores?) and they try and get into the loft of my bungalow. I hate them!

They also seriously damage the trees in the park behind us by gnawing the bark off.

[Rosa_Mundi]

Yep. Around here they've killed a couple of mature oaks and chewed through mains cables in the attic. They are not good news.

[busy_lizzie]

E-mailed the site you posted here Rosa and got an e-mail from them this morning saying that grey squirrels hadn't been sighted in my area before.  They are to get in touch with the local wildlife authorities so they can update their records.  Hope this doesn't mean an invasion of grey squirrels.  I have heard they can do a lot of damage, but hadn't realised how much.  :o busy_lizzie

[Rosa_Mundi]

Little so-snd-sos seem to be continuing their advance, then. I think one of the problems is their lack of predators here - like many an introduced species, they have nothing to control them. Mind you, they're a pest in the States as well.