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THE PROJECT

The Mid Wales Red Squirrel Project, with a Countryside Council for Wales’ (CCW) Species Challenge Fund grant, undertook a survey of the Mid Wales forests to investigate further the presence and genetic make-up of the red squirrel population that is known to exist there. Survey was carried out at sites within coniferous plantations in forests which together cover 3500 ha of uplands and steep river valley sides. One of the main aims of the Project is to influence the management of these forests to ensure the continued survival of this declining native species in these woodlands. The project built on previous survey work undertaken by CCW.

During two survey periods over 18 months a targeted trapping programme resulted in 32 red (from three sites) and 121 grey (from all sites) squirrels being trapped.

DNA analysis

DNA analysis revealed four different mitochondrial DNA haplotypes within the Mid Wales population (a haplotype is a set of closely related genetic markers present on one chromosome, which tends to be inherited together; mitochondrial DNA is inherited from the maternal line and is useful in studies of population ancestry). Three of the four haplotypes had been previously recorded in Wales, however this was the first time their presence had been recorded within a single locality and two of the haplotypes would appear to be unique to the mid Wales population. It is thought that red squirrels in Wales belong to a relatively narrow lineage that may include an ancestral Welsh population. Other British populations comprise more widely mixed lineages, influenced by the introduction of European reds to the UK in the 19th century. The results of genetic analysis have implications for both the conservation of local populations and the conservation of red squirrels in Wales as a whole.

Parapox virus

Grey squirrels were present in various densities in project areas with approximately half infected with the parapox virus in the first phase and over 90% in the second phase. It is of concern that greys trapped in second phase were caught in remote areas where greys would not be expected in such numbers – 8 km from nearest broadleaved woodland. In addition some females caught were very large (>800 g) and possibly pregnant.
During the second phase the autumn had been poor for seeding in broadleaved woodland, therefore greys may have dispersed from these areas into conifer blocks. The previously thought opinion that they enter and leave the conifer blocks may not be true here given the fact that possibly pregnant females were present.

Conclusions

It should be emphasized that the excellent survey results achieved will not by themselves conserve the red squirrels in mid Wales! Further survey work is required but ultimately, it is the management of the forestry that has to be addressed, as it is this factor that is critical to the survival of our red squirrels. We have to influence forest management and work much more closely with forest managers to maintain suitable habitat for the reds and reduce future risk from the greys, which appear to have reached further into areas of the forest than had been anticipated.