'We need to all do more if we want red squirrels to thrive again in the South West'
Campaigners are warning climate change has increased the breeding of grey squirrels across the West Country
Last updated 15th Oct 2026
There's calls for more volunteers to help control grey squirrel numbers, under plans to reintroduce the native red squirrel to the South West.
Mish Kennaway, from Red Squirrel South West, also oversees the red squirrel area at Escot, one of the few places in the region where the animals can be seen.
He says grey squirrels have increased in numbers locally as a result of climate change and without intervention they will continue to impact wildlife and trees.
A Government policy statement on 'managing the impact of grey squirrels' in February 2026 warned: "Grey squirrels cause approximately £37 million to £40 million in economic and forestry damage across the UK each year."
Mr Kennaway said: "Nationally we have about 45,000 red squirrels left in our islands - wild in parts of Scotland and they are wild on some of our islands like Brownsea (in Dorset), Isle of Wight, Anglesey and Scilly Isles but on the mainland they are basically extinct."
It is believed there are roughly 3,000,000 grey squirrels with Mr Kennaway adding: "They literally breed like rats, with climate change they're happily breeding three times a year.
"We are trying to get more people in Devon and Cornwall onboard either as volunteers to help us cull grey squirrels and landowners to cull them themselves."
In the first nine months of 2026 within the Cornwall Squirrel Project more than 1,200 grey squirrels were recorded as controlled - but the true number is thought to be higher.
Red Squirrel South West is also trying to create a new register for where greys are being controlled to help identify suitable relocation areas for reds to be reintroduced.
What is the problem?
The Government report in February found: "Grey squirrels out-compete red squirrels for food as well as spreading the squirrel pox virus to them – a pathogen that is usually fatal to red squirrels, with greys rarely affected.
"In England the red squirrel population is fragmented, now only occurring in isolated populations on the islands in Poole Harbour and the Isle of Wight and across the north of England. England’s population of red squirrels is estimated to be just 38,900. Monitoring of red squirrel populations in the north of England shows that effective management of grey squirrels has stopped the decline in the red squirrel range.
"Grey squirrels also cause damage to woodlands by stripping bark from trees, which in extreme cases can lead to tree death. Surveying of one-hectare grid squares across England between 2010 and 2015, as part of the National Forest Inventory Survey, found squirrel damage was present at 16% of sites. The frequency of damage varied across England, with bark stripping damage most common in the south-west (32% of sites) and Yorkshire and the Humber (23% of sites).
"The economic cost of damage from grey squirrels to our woodlands, not including costs to our biodiversity, is estimated at £37 million per annum in England and Wales. This comprises an estimated reduction in timber value and restocking costs (£13.7 million), loss of carbon value (£9.2 million) and current costs of grey squirrel control measures (£14.1 million)."
How is climate change making things worse for the reds?
The Autumn update from the South West Squirrel Project warns: "An abundant autumn food supply not only improves grey squirrels’ chances of surviving the winter, but can also support mid-winter breeding.
"In the past, prolonged cold winters would have limited this, but our increasingly mild winters mean that grey squirrels in the South West can now potentially produce three litters a year. For those carrying out grey squirrel control, plentiful natural food can also make management more challenging, as squirrels have less incentive to visit bait stations and traps when there is plenty of food available naturally.
"It is another reminder that grey squirrel management needs to be consistent and long-term. Food availability will always fluctuate, but keeping squirrel numbers under control can help reduce the pressure they place on our woodlands."
Where can I find out more?
The Red Squirrel South West website can be found here