Red Squirrel Surveys
Red squirrels and their dreys are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly kill, injure or take (capture) a red squirrel or to damage or destroy any structure red squirrels use for shelter or protection, and to disturb them while they are occupying their shelter.
Surveys for red squirrel can take place at any time of year.
Echoes Ecology have worked on numerous projects requiring red squirrel surveys and we can provide the following services:
- Preliminary habitat appraisal – this initial stage may be carried out in conjunction with other ecological surveys or on its own. It allows for information to be gathered from the site, such as the type and age structure of the woodland, the availability of suitable food and signs of squirrel presence. The assessment will determine whether a site has low, moderate or high suitability for squirrels.
- Visual transect surveys – these surveys are used to look for red squirrels themselves as well as for signs of feeding and dreys. The surveys involve walking transect routes from dawn and stopping at pre-determined stopping points to look and listen for squirrel activity. The transects are typically repeated on several occasions.
- Drey searches – searches are undertaken if visual sightings of squirrels or other evidence of squirrel (e.g. foraging signs) are found on site. This involves a more stringent transect survey which covers the areas of woodland to be impacted upon by the proposed works, looking for dreys. Once found, dreys can be subject to early morning vantage point watches or camera trapping to determine whether they are in use by red squirrels. Occasionally our tree climbing expertise may be called upon here.
- Hair tube surveys – this involves the use of tubes which contain sticky blocks through which squirrels run; the sticky blocks collect hair from any animal which brushes past them. The tubes are baited to encourage squirrels to use them and are attached to suitable branches in a methodical pattern throughout the site. Microscopy analysis is then used to determine whether the hairs collected belong to red squirrel or not.
For more information on red squirrel licensing within Scotland visit NatureScot’s website here.
Pine Marten Surveys
Pine marten are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly kill, injure or take (capture) a pine marten or to damage, destroy or obstruct any structure pine marten use for shelter or protection, and to disturb them while they are occupying their shelter. Occasionally pine martens can use houses (roof-spaces) and in these instances the offences regarding disturbing pine martens in their shelter or blocking access to their shelter do not apply to dwelling houses. Pine marten are shy and elusive and can be difficult to spot, although they are becoming more widespread in Scotland. Surveys for pine marten can be carried out at any time of year.
When surveying for pine marten we use a variety of approaches:
- Preliminary habitat appraisal – this initial stage may be carried out in conjunction with other ecological surveys or on its own. It allows for information to be gathered from the site, such as the type of habitat present, the availability of suitable food and suitable den sites. The assessment will determine whether a site has low, moderate or high suitability for pine marten.
- Visual transects – systematic transects looking for scats and footprints.
- DNA scat analysis – we can collect and send away scats for DNA analysis to confirm pine marten presence.
- Camera trapping – camera traps are set up at baited platforms over a period of several weeks to try to capture photographic evidence of pine marten. If during the habitat appraisal potential den sites were found, camera traps would be installed (under licence from NatureScot if required) to determine whether they are in use by pine marten or not.
- Hair tubes – tree-mounted hair tubes are installed vertically on suitable trees in a methodical pattern throughout the site. The tubes are baited to encourage pine marten to use them and have sticky pads at the bottom and bait in the top of the tubes. The sticky blocks collect hair from any animal which brushes past them and microscopy analysis is then used to determine whether the hairs collected belong to pine marten or not.
For more information on pine marten licensing within Scotland visit NatureScot’s website here.
Photo credit – Alan Wylie, Red Squirrel and Laurie Campbell, Pine Martin