Grey Squirrels

The control of grey squirrels in Cumbria is widely regarded as essential to protect the county’s dwindling population of native red squirrels. Cumbria is one of the last remaining strongholds for red squirrels in England, particularly in the upland woodlands of the Lake District and northern parts of the county. Without active intervention, the red squirrel could disappear from this region entirely.

The primary reason for controlling grey squirrels is the threat they pose to reds, both directly and indirectly. Grey squirrels carry the squirrelpox virus, a disease that is harmless to them but often fatal to red squirrels. In areas where the two species come into contact, outbreaks of squirrelpox have decimated red populations. In addition to disease, grey squirrels are more robust and adaptable than reds, outcompeting them for food and nesting sites. Their presence puts additional pressure on red populations already struggling to survive in fragmented habitats.

Beyond their impact on red squirrels, grey squirrels also damage woodlands. Their habit of stripping bark from trees such as beech, sycamore, and oak can lead to significant ecological and economic losses, weakening trees, reducing timber value, and altering woodland structure over time.

Efforts to control grey squirrels in Cumbria have been ongoing for years, with various local and regional initiatives involved. Community-led conservation groups such as Westmorland Red Squirrels and Red Squirrels Northern England play a central role, carrying out trapping and monitoring across wide areas. These groups work with landowners, forestry managers, and volunteers to create buffer zones, remove grey squirrels, and monitor red populations.

In certain areas, targeted grey squirrel control has been shown to work. By reducing grey squirrel numbers and limiting their spread into key red squirrel habitats, these efforts can stabilise or even increase red squirrel populations. Upland woodlands in Cumbria, which are less favourable to grey squirrels due to elevation and tree species, provide some natural advantage. In these places, sustained control efforts combined with landscape features can help keep grey numbers low.

However, the success of grey squirrel control is not guaranteed. It requires constant effort and coordination, as greys are quick to recolonise cleared areas. Public attitudes also play a role. While many people support red squirrel conservation, some object to the lethal control of greys, particularly in urban or semi-rural areas where people may encounter squirrels regularly. This can complicate efforts, especially when trying to control grey populations at a landscape scale.

In the long term, control efforts in Cumbria face both logistical and ethical challenges. Without major breakthroughs, such as a squirrelpox vaccine or effective fertility control for grey squirrels, current programmes will need to be maintained indefinitely. That means continued funding, volunteer commitment, and public backing are essential.

Nonetheless, while imperfect and labour-intensive, grey squirrel control remains the most effective tool available to protect red squirrels in Cumbria. Without it, the red squirrel would almost certainly vanish from the region. With it, there remains a fighting chance that this iconic native species will continue to have a future in the Cumbrian landscape.