Work to save red squirrels
Greys being trapped in Mine Wood
Stirling district is in the front line of work to save Scotland’s endangered red squirrels.
Volunteers working for the Scottish Wildlife Trust in conjunction with the charity Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) had secured permission from Stirling Council to trap and ‘dispatch’ grey squirrels which can carry the squirrelpox virus, which is deadly to the reds. The reds’ decline in recent decades has also been linked to competition from the larger non-native grey squirrels.
However, the trapping and shooting of grey squirrels in Bridge of Allan’s Mine Wood and Plean Country Park – squirrelpox had been detected in greys in Plean in the past – was stopped last year following a complaint.
At Tuesday evening’s meeting of Bridge of Allan Community Council, a town resident pointed out that a man had been trapping squirrels in Mine Wood. He would let red squirrels go, but shoot any greys using an air gun, he added.
Dunblane and Bridge of Allan councillor Alastair Majury pointed out that in March 2019 someone had objected. The permission was then revoked and the work stopped.
Councillor Majury told the meeting that Stirling Council had given permission for the operation in error, but as of August 2019 it had been restored with albeit “the most restrictive permission in Scotland.” He added: “Mine Wood is important in trying to stop greys encroaching on the reds.
“Rather than an outright ban, Stirling Council only allow a certain kind of (more humane) trap.”
The member of the public, who raised the matter at Tuesday’s meeting, also expressed delight that a neighbour in Sunnylaw Road had spotted a red squirrel with four young in their garden last summer.
Following the meeting, councillor Majury said this week that the work of SSRS staff, volunteers and supporters was vital in saving red squirrels in the Stirling area.
He added: “I hope that after the protracted discussions (between SSRS and Stirling Council) last year, which took five months, the relationship between the local authority and SSRS will be more positive going forward.
“If anyone is interested in finding out more about how they can help red squirrels locally then I’d encourage them to get in touch with SSRS.”
Stirling Council said this week: “A licence has been granted to Scottish Wildlife Trust for the culling of grey squirrels to take place at Callander Crags, Mine Wood, Bridge of Allan, and Plean Country Park. This licence includes permission to trap and dispatch grey squirrels.
“It was made clear to the applicant when issuing these licences that permission is not granted to use air weapons to dispatch squirrels once trapped, to which they agreed.
“We will be in touch with the licence holder to remind them of their commitment to humanely dispose of the grey squirrels and reinforce the ban on using air rifles.”
SSRS were also contacted for comment.