The Red squirrel is a native breed to the UK however has become very rare in the British countryside. The population at one time was 3.5 million however has fallen to an estimated population of only 120,000. Drops in population can usually be linked to loss of habitat however for the red squirrels the main cause of their decline is due to the grey squirrel introduction which was back in the 1870’s. At the time they were added as a fashionable addition to estates but now out compete the reds in all aspects.
Grey squirrels were introduced in the wealthy estates in south east England in the 1870’s, and have spread north through England and Wales and has begun to populate Ireland and Scotland over the last two decades. Looking at the map of 2010
Grey squirrels were introduced in the wealthy estates in south east England in the 1870’s, and have spread north through England and Wales and has begun to populate Ireland and Scotland over the last two decades. Looking at the map of 2010