Red Squirrel Survey

Everything You Need to Know About Red Squirrel Surveys

Since the 1800s, red squirrel population numbers have continuously fallen, seeing the estimated 3.5 million drop to 120,000 over the course of the last century, equating to a shocking depletion in red squirrel populations of 96.57%. The species was originally introduced back in the early 1800s, but when grey squirrels were introduced from North America in 1876 and spread rapidly between the 1920s and 1940s, red squirrel numbers began to take a nosedive, reaching a point of near extinction in modern times.

Featuring alongside other severely declining species in England such as the greater mouse-eared bat, the hen harrier, the large blue butterfly and the turtle dove, the red squirrel only suffered as a result of grey squirrels arriving in the country and surpassing them. Both red and grey squirrels can contract squirrelpox, but as it shows no symptoms in grey squirrels but is fatal in red squirrels, the spread of the virus only negatively affected the circulation of one out of the two species.

It is easiest to spot red squirrels during the autumn, as they will be out searching for food to collect for the winter. Occupying coniferous, broadleaved and mixed woodlands, red squirrels will often be found in trees. Nests for red squirrels are known as dreys, and they are used for resting, breeding and protection from strong winds, heavy rain and extreme cold weather. In terms of food, red squirrels typically eat hazelnuts, pine cones and food usually intended for birds, such as a variety of different nuts and seeds.

One of several species within the rodent family of Sciuridae, red squirrels appear as red but with other colours ranging from light orange to dark brown. In winter months, their fur can become tinged with patches of grey, as well as large tufts of hair above the ears to protect them from the cold. Although similar to grey squirrels, there are certain differences, such as the fact that red squirrels are generally larger and heavier, and their bushy tails are always red, as opposed to the mix of colours seen in the tales of grey squirrels.

With red squirrels rare except for parts of Northern Ireland and Wales, islands off the South Coast of England and sections of Northern England, UK legislation such as the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 has them listed as a protected species. The law prevents unnecessary harm or disturbance from coming to red squirrels, requiring developers to arrange an assessment whenever they could contradict conservation rules and impact planning applications.

Red Squirrel Surveys

A red squirrel survey will confirm the presence or absence of the species on your development site, as well as determine if the conditions, natural features and climate could indicate that red squirrels are likely to occupy the area at any point in the future. Between the results of the assessment and the next steps produced by the ecological consultant in charge of the survey, the development proposal can move forward and the local authority can accept the planning application.

The requirement to organise red squirrel surveys could either happen based on observations about the site, instructions from the local council or after other ecology surveys, such as a preliminary ecological appraisal (PEA) or ecological impact assessment (EcIA). Whatever the reason, by staging an assessment, a professional surveyor can determine that no red squirrels are present or – if they are or have the potential to be – provide effective measures to let the development continue safely.

Surveying for Red Squirrels

Assessment

An ecological consultant will start the process by carrying out a desk study to retrieve additional information about the development site and any potential for red squirrels. Collected data would be likely to include evidence of past ecological surveys, existing records from local environmental records centres (LERCs), government and forestry accounts of habitat conditions, readings from satellite imagery and mapping tools, and any examples of red squirrel sightings from local conservation groups and the public.

After all available data has been retrieved, a field survey will be undertaken to get a current and accurate representation of any possible red squirrels and red squirrel habitat areas on the site. Any number of exercises could do this, including drey counts, walking transects across the area, feeding sign analysis of any food remains, hair tube surveys where plastic tubes are left to collect hair samples, and the use of infrared and thermal imaging cameras to capture images, videos and heat signatures of occupying red squirrels.

Report

Every ecological survey concludes with a report that can be passed on to the local planning authority to ease any concerns and support the application for planning permission. The same thing happens after a red squirrel survey, with it containing an executive summary of the assessment, details about the methodology used, results from the site inspection, information about the site including the findings from the earlier desk study, and confirmation of whether red squirrels are on the site or the likelihood of habitat suitability.

Reports from red squirrel surveys will also explain recommendations that will allow the proposed development to continue. It could include mitigation measures, compensation measures and general red squirrel conservation efforts that guarantee their safety while enabling the development proposal to move into future stages. The planning officer will be expecting the protected species report, and with everything accounted for and addressed, it should give them every reason to grant planning consent.

Map Out Your Red Squirrel Survey

You may be aware of red and grey squirrels on your development site, the local council might have asked for an assessment for red squirrel conservation purposes, or it could be that you want to make sure that your development proposal won’t unnecessarily harm red squirrels in the area. Whatever the situation, it would be worth moving ahead with planning a red squirrel survey to support your development. Alternatively, you may decide to book a broader type of ecological survey as a way of uncovering any other rare, valuable or protected natural features on your site.

Our team is advanced in managing all types of protected species surveys, including red squirrel surveys. Using groundbreaking technology, the latest guidelines and input from advanced ecologists at consultant and principal level, our assessments are of the highest quality, making sense of why Arbtech is recognised as the UK’s number one ecology consultancy. Featuring experts in every area, we can cater to all parts of the country and thoroughly provide you with camera traps, drey counts, feeding sign surveys, hair tube surveys and visual observations before assembling a report to strengthen the application for planning consent.

Red Squirrel Survey Season

Choosing a suitable date for a red squirrel survey is key because each method in the assessment process has a specific preferred time:

Survey Method	Optimal Survey Period
Camera Trapping	All Year Round
Drey Counts	Winter (November – February)
Feeding Sign Surveys	Autumn – Early Spring (September – April)
Hair Tube Surveys	Autumn – Winter (September – February)
Thermal Imaging	Autumn – Winter (September – February)
Visual Observations	Autumn – Winter (September – February)

The overall red squirrel survey season takes place between September and February, but fortunately, developers have the backup option of arranging an assessment between May and August. It won’t be possible, however, to organise an inspection between February and August, as that’s when the breeding season happens, and a survey at this point could disturb dreys and harm young squirrels.

Red Squirrel Survey Cost

We make sure that all clients are treated fairly and that every quote is based on the unique specifications of the development project. The alternative approach would be to charge an identical price to everyone, but as that would mean that an assessment on a small site for a simple project would be the same cost as an assessment on a large site for a complex project, it wouldn’t be at all fair for certain clients overseeing development works.

For the sake of fairness and accuracy, we encourage our clients to get in touch and give us as much information about their development plans and site as possible. From there, we can put together a quote and place the decision in their hands with full transparency over what the process will entail and how much it will cost. Even if you aren’t entirely sure of whether you need a red squirrel survey or another ecological survey at all, speak to our friendly team, and we can advise you.

Speak to Arbtech About a Quote

You can set the wheels in motion for your red squirrel assessment by reaching out to the team at Arbtech. Once we’ve spoken to you about your development plans, we can create a free quote for you to look over. If you’re happy with it, let us know, and we can choose a suitable date and time to start the desk study and visit your site.

After years of providing different ecological services to clients up and down the country, we are perfectly positioned to help you with issues caused by red and grey squirrels. A red squirrel survey report from our team will fulfil the expectations and requirements of the local planning authority, allowing you to obtain planning permission.