ARE GREY SQUIRRELS INVADING THE SEFTON COAST ?
Article by Sarah Bentley, NPI Red Alert North West Project Officer The Sefton Coast has long been a stronghold for the red squirrel and has always been considered a grey squirrel-free zone. Over the last six months, however, NPI Red Alert North West has received increasing numbers of reports of grey squirrels. They are certainly becoming established in Southport and from here it is a simple step to reach the coastal woodlands. Odd sightings of grey squirrels have been reported on the coast from time to time in the past; so should we be getting ready for action or is this another false alarm? A pattern has emerged in Cumbria where grey squirrels are progressing further north each year. Grey squirrels are occasionally reported and then never seen again in red only areas for as long as five to ten years before the main population advances. These ‘scouts’ seem to be dispersing animals which range over wide areas, crossing seemingly inhospitable habitats on their travels, but eventually fol
