pine martens vs grey squirrels

[Chlidonias]

interesting article about how in Ireland the recovery of pine marten populations seems to be having a positive effect on formerly-beleaguered native red squirrels because the martens cause a decline in the introduced grey squirrel numbers.
Alien v predator: red squirrels rising »

 

[Pertinax]

Very interesting. Maybe this is the answer in England too? - if Pine Martens were able to recolonise sufficiently perhaps the Grey squirrels would decrease on a similar pattern as in Ireland. So far any other method to eliminate them has seemed impossible.

 

[FBBird]

Do they not eat Red Squirrels then?

 

[Pertinax]

Do they not eat Red Squirrels then?

It says in the article that Reds, being lighter, travel in the higher and thinner branches more and can evade Pine Martens more successfully, so don't appear affected much by predation. Also because the Greys forage on the ground more they are more vulnerable.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Very interesting. Maybe this is the answer in England too? - if Pine Martens were able to recolonise sufficiently perhaps the Grey squirrels would decrease on a similar pattern as in Ireland. So far any other method to eliminate them has seemed impossible.

Indeed - I have heard this in the past myself as having taken place to some extent in Scotland. Now that it has been proven that Martens are hanging on in remote areas of Cumbria and Northumbria, it is quite possible that in a low-key way they have already been helping Red Squirrel populations there hang on as well.

 

[FBBird]

I know we have to take this on the chin, but I understand Pine Martens are an absolute menace to poultry.
So excuse me if I'm not desperate to have them in the garden; I'll stick with the Grey Squirrels if nobody minds.

 

[Pertinax]

I know we have to take this on the chin, but I understand Pine Martens are an absolute menace to poultry.
So excuse me if I'm not desperate to have them in the garden; I'll stick with the Grey Squirrels if nobody minds.

There is always a downside to a rare carnivore becoming more plentiful again. Take the Otter's return in Britain- fishfarms and private fish-keepers are suffering depradations from them again now they are widespread.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

There is always a downside to a rare carnivore becoming more plentiful again. Take the Otter's return in Britain- fishfarms and private fish-keepers are suffering depradations from them again now they are widespread.

Mind you, they have also significantly impacted the American Mink population, with a resulting increase in water voles, so again the restoration of a native predator tends to bring more good than bad.

 

[IanRRobinson]

Very interesting. Maybe this is the answer in England too? - if Pine Martens were able to recolonise sufficiently perhaps the Grey squirrels would decrease on a similar pattern as in Ireland. So far any other method to eliminate them has seemed impossible.

One of the issues with Grey Squirrels in most of their UK range, IMO, is that they have few obvious predators. Apart from Pine Martens, maybe only Eagle Owls or Goshawks are really equipped to deal with them in trees.

It's the old story - the introduction of alien species causes a whole host of changes in ecosystems.