Mar. 01 2023
Source Page: Red squirrels and forestry operations in England - operations note 65Found: Red squirrels and forestry operations in England - operations note 65
Asked by: Smyth, Colin (Scottish Labour - South Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) red squirrels were killed and (b) red squirrel dreys were disturbed during the breeding season as a result of commercial forestry operations, in each year since derogated licensing provisions were granted by NatureScot to Forestry and Land Scotland.
Answered by Gougeon, Mairi - Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
There are no records of adult squirrels being killed by forest operations on Scotland's national forests and land.
The estimated number of squirrels disturbed during the breeding season by forest operations on Scotland's national forests and land is as follows:
Year | Estimated No. of Squirrels Disturbed | As a % of the Total Squirrel Population Within LMP's |
FY 17-18 | 280 | 2.34% |
FY 18-19 | 278 | 2.41% |
2020 | 690 | 2.79% |
2021 | 472 | 2.18% |
2022 | 303 | 2.94% |
Note I: From April 2020 onwards, reporting was done on a calendar-year basis.
Note II: Squirrel numbers are calculated by multiplying published average squirrel densities per tree species by the respective areas of each tree species.
Note III: LMP is an acronym for Land Managemt Plan.
Mar. 01 2023
Source Page: Red squirrels and forestry operations in England - operations note 65Found: Red squirrels and forestry operations in England - operations note 65
Mentions:
1: Lord Blencathra (Con - Life peer) Have we not learned from the disaster of grey squirrels and African bullfrogs? - Speech Link
Asked by: Burnett, Alexander (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Aberdeenshire West)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will help to ensure a future for the red squirrel by resourcing the continued delivery of landscape-wide invasive grey squirrel control following the end of the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Transition Project in March 2024.
Answered by Slater, Lorna - Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity
As outlined in response to question S6W-14224 on 24 January 2023 it remains a priority for the Scottish Government to ensure the important work undertaken by Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels continues. NatureScot, Scottish Forestry and Forestry and Land Scotland are currently providing core funding for the roles of the Grey Squirrel Officers (GSOs) as part of the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels partnership project.
The Scottish Government and partners will continue to be involved in discussions on taking forward the work currently being undertaken by Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels.
All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
May. 14 2024
Source Page: Board of Commissioners meeting, 27 October 2022Found: provide roosting holes for bats, nest site s for kites, goshawk and pine martins and seeds for red squirrels
Asked by: Smyth, Colin (Scottish Labour - South Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken on public land that is managed by Forestry and Land Scotland to ensure that nests of (a) raptors, (b) red squirrels and (c) other protected woodland fauna are protected during the harvesting of commercial woodlands and at the time of their respective breeding seasons, where applicable.
Answered by Gougeon, Mairi - Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) take the protection of (a) raptors, (b) red squirrels and (c) other protected woodland fauna within our woodlands very seriously, and when appropriate conduct our operations outwith their breeding seasons to avoid disturbance.
FLS adhere to the industry guidance set by the Scottish Government forestry regulator, Scottish Forestry, and where necessary apply for and follow the species licencing process regulated by NatureScot.
FLS have rigorous planning systems, checks and procedures with accompanying guidance to ensure all regulations and licence requirements to protect species are followed.
Asked by: Smyth, Colin (Scottish Labour - South Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what licensing provisions Forestry and Land Scotland has in place regarding the disturbance of red squirrels during commercial forestry operations.
Answered by Gougeon, Mairi - Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) take the protection of priority species within our woodlands, such as red squirrels, very seriously, and when appropriate conduct their operations out with the Red Squirrel breeding season to avoid disturbance.
FLS adhere to the industry guidance set by the Scottish Government forestry regulator, Scottish Forestry, and where necessary apply for and follow the species licencing process regulated by NatureScot. They are recognised as a trusted and competent land manager and have an agreed licencing process in place that reflects that recognition.
FLS have rigorous planning systems, checks and procedures with accompanying guidance to ensure all regulations and licence requirements to protect species are followed.
Mentions:
1: James Morris (Con - Halesowen and Rowley Regis) infrastructure, it cannot be right that a company called BRSK is proposing to erect telegraph poles at the Squirrels - Speech Link
Written Evidence Nov. 28 2023
Inquiry: Education and Careers in Land-based SectorsFound: The management of deer and grey squirrels will be of upmost importance in delivering the England