Grey Squirrels

mike65

Anyone know how far the American Grey has extended into Ireland?

I nearly ran a critter over today and afterwards thought it looks a bit grey and with a body that was substantially bigger then its tail, reds tails are about the same size as the body. I have never seen a grey in Waterford before (if it was one).

Mike.

Susipoo

There was one in my Dublin garden just a week ago - v surprised at that too

dranoel

They've all but taken over the east coast but haven't made it over the Shannon yet.

dogmatix

Aye - I think the shannon is acting as a natural barrier, for now. But you can still see red squirrels in parts of wicklow and no doubt in other mountainy areas in the east.

mukki

never say a red squirrel in meath, plenty of gray ones, they should cull them yankeys

Scobius90

yeah they are "confined" for the moment east of the shannon. They are pretty widespread unfortunately, although I don't know enough about them to give you an accurate distributional description.

If AP reads here maybe he could give us his expert wisdom

fits

Yes the greys are certainly in Waterford. They've pretty much taken over everywhere east of the Shannon.
That said, I nearly ran over a red squirrel yesterday (in Wicklow)... Jammed on the brakes so I did (private road).... phew...

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

hrm, maybe the red squirrels could apply for some aid from the CIA to fight extremist grey squirrel terrorism.

Chopperdog 2

This report says that the greys occupy 26 Irish counties now, and are west of the Shannon.

Not looking too good...

http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/1009/squirrel.html

Gaspode

Cant remember the last time I saw a red squirrel! Must be 10 years since I saw the last one in the botanic Gardens and they've been gone from this area of castleknock a godd 12-15 yrs. They used to be be rampant in St. Annes when I was a kid, but they've been gone from there a long time.

Scobius90

Chopperdog 2 wrote:

This report says that the greys occupy 26 Irish counties now, and are west of the Shannon.

Not looking too good...

http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/1009/squirrel.html

it was only a matter of time really. am not sure if the eradication program talked about in the report will be up to scratch and able to keep up (never mind on top of) with the grey population growth

*sigh*

dodgyme

I'd shoot every last one of them - greys!. Poor old redzer

newsjunky

There was something on TV the other day talking about how they're trying to protect the few red squirrels (tagging and whatnot) in the Botanical Gardens in Dublin. I've definitely been seeing more gray squirrels than red.

doctor evil

Millions of them in Dublin Zoo, you`d think they would catch them and feed them to the animals

doctor evil

Did anyone catch "Wild Gourmets" on Channel 4 tonight?. I caught the last 15 minutes by chance. They shot and cooked grey squirrels. I loved how they passed if off as Peuking Duck to the pub goers. It looked tasty. I was surprised at how big the tree rats were.

http://www.channel4.com/food/on-tv/wild-gourmets/