TAYSIDE’S WOODLANDS are set to play a major role in protecting Scotland’s red squirrel population.

Forestry Commission Scotland intends to create 18 “stronghold areas” across the country in a bid to protect one of the UK’s most threatened mammals.

The primary threat to the red squirrel has been the non-native grey squirrel, but Scotland is at the forefront of efforts to tackle its decline.

This latest initiative, which is to be carried out in partnership with landowners and managers, will see around 100,000 hectares of forest managed as refuges for red squirrels.

South Rannoch in Perthshire has been identified as a perfect site for a stronghold habitat because it is a large forest network which has a red squirrel population.

Careful management of the site will help to create environments that are favoured by red squirrels but shunned by greys.

Launching a consultation on the project, environment minister Roseanna Cunningham said, “Strongholds are an important additional safeguard for the long-term survival of red squirrels in Scotland.

“A lot of work is being done to prevent the spread of grey squirrels and the squirrel pox virus they carry but it is equally important that we find and manage habitats so as to give red squirrels a competitive advantage and the opportunity to thrive.

“Over time these sites will become increasingly welcoming habitats for red squirrels but will remain of little interest to greys.

“It is encouraging and welcome that this initiative has won the backing and support of private landowners.

“Their co-operation and participation is vital if we are to ensure the success of this long term conservation opportunity.”

Key to the management of these sites will be the development of consistent food supplies for red squirrels.

Retaining older, cone-bearing conifers and diversifying conifer species will increase the food available to red squirrels.

Restricting food sources preferred by greys—large seeded broadleaves such as oak, beech, chestnut and hazel—will discourage them from moving into the stronghold areas.

In addition, trapping greys will help to protect the red squirrels if greys are ever found to be making significant incursions into the site.

Apart from certain restrictions on tree species choice and modifications to felling patterns, other activities—such as recreation or timber production—would not be curtailed.

The red squirrel population in Scotland is thought to be around 120,000 animals, which now represents about 75% of red squirrels in the UK—a proportion that continues to grow.

Anyone who would like to find out more and contribute to the development of stronghold areas can visit www.forestry.gov.uk/strongholdsconsultation and take part in the consultation, which runs until June.