Red Squirrels in Breckland

[rlchew]

On my journey to Lynford Arboretum today in Norfolk, I am fairly confident (that means less than 100% and that I will never know for sure!) that I saw a Red Squirrel as it ran across the A1065 road between the Lakenheath airbase and the town of Brandon.

It was certainly significantly smaller than a Grey Squirrel and it did appear "red" although the light was poor and it was only a fleeting view as it remembered the Green Cross Code (or was it advice from Tufty Fluffytail from the Tufty Club for those of you over 50 years old ) and darted across the road.

Does anyone know if there is still a surviving population of Red Squirrels in Breckland?

If so, they would certainly be a lot nearer home than the ones I encounter on trips to northern Scotland!

By the way, I saw plenty of Grey Squirrels at Lynford Arboretum .... 100%+ confidence with those IDs!

Richard

[aeshna5]

I thought they were extinct in the Brecks. The newish handbook doesn't list this area as one of the current areas of a population.

[fairplay]

All I can remember is that, what must be 8 years ago, they kept a small population in an enclosure at the Brecks to build up numbers ready for release, but a virus (from the grey's ?) got into the enclosure and I think the project had to be abandoned.

It is possible they released the red's and left them to their own devices, but if so, I cannot see any still surviving after all this time, but do phone up the FC office at Santon Downham and report it.

I have seen grey's with very reddish coats, but because you say your sighting was also small, then it sounds like yours must be the real thing.

Neil.

I've just been reading the latest book on the 'Mammals of Suffolk' by Dr Simone Bullion, she mentions a 2,000 hectare reserve was set up in Thetford Forest in 1992. 22 Red's were released into this area in 1996, supported by a breeding program to continue planned releases to maintain the population.
The project was abandoned in 2001 mainly because of the parapox virus and it was 'impractical' to remove all the Grey's from the area.
The remaining Red's were released as I said earlier. There was an unconfirmed report of a Red in early 2000's but a lack of any field evidence for over 5 years suggests they are almost certainly extinct in the Brecks.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by fairplay

I have seen grey's with very reddish coats, but because you say your sighting was also small, then it sounds like yours must be the real thing.

This is the summer colour of greys, its unlikely they would have moulted this early. Although there is always variation in individuals.

[JeffH]

Hi Rich

I certainly haven't seen (or heard of any sightings of) Red Squirrels in the Thetford Forest area for many years.

As Neil says, the reintroduction scheme started in the 1990s was abandoned some years ago and it's my understanding that the last few left in the release pens were indeed released and left to their own devices.

So I guess it's possible that a few survived and have since bred.

As Neil suggests, please do report your sighting to the FC and let us know what they have to say about it.

Regards, Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls & Avocets)

[RESQ]

Hi, I’m a member of a group of university students creating a hypothetical vaccine against the Parapox virus affecting Red Squirrels. It would be much appreciated if you would take a minute to fill out this short survey (only 10 questions); it would help us to find out whether this is a viable project or not!! Please answer honestly it would help a lot!!

Red Squirrel Conservation Survey

Thanks