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Donegal squirrel survey underway
28.11.12
A SURVEY is underway in the gardens and fields of
Donegal North East - one of the last bastions for
Ireland's embattled native red squirrel.
The region - including Inishowen - is an important
habitat for the native red which is under increasing
threat from the grey squirrel.
A new community wildlife initiative aimed at mapping
the whereabouts of red and grey squirrels was
recently launched in Buncrana. The organisers are
asking for the public's help. Co-ordinator Anthony
Robb said: “The greys are rapidly expanding their
territories north and pushing the native red
squirrels before them. In recent years North East
Donegal has seen a big influx of red squirrels and
now greys are starting to appear.
"If things are left unchecked, Inishowen will be the
site of their last stand. We want to establish
exactly where the red and grey populations are and
how many are in each group. Armed with that
information we can then undertake protective
measures for our native reds," added Mr Robb. |
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The native Irish red squirrel. |
Red squirrels are small
mammals which depend on a woodland habitat to
survive. Competition from grey squirrels,
squirrel-pox virus, habitat fragmentation and road
kills are their biggest threat. Their colour ranges
from almost brown to chestnut on their back with a
white underside. Their distinctive ear tufts make
them unmistakable to their invasive cousins the grey
squirrels. The greys are non-native and were
introduced from America into Ireland in 1911. Today
they are found all over Ireland. They can feed on a
variety of nuts, fruit and flowers as well as
stripping bark off trees to get to the sap. Grey
squirrels are larger, more adaptable and more
aggressive than the reds.
The public is urged to keep an eye out for red or
grey squirrels when they are out and about in their
gardens or walking in the woods and parks. Please
report any sightings to Anthony on 086 0724821 or
online at
www.donegalsquirrelproject.com |
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