Why are there no native squirrels in Guernsey?
A grey squirrel made headlines when it arrived as a stowaway on a ferry to Guernsey - an island which has neither grey or red squirrels.But why does the Channel Island have no native red squirrels - and why does it lack other small species like moles, badgers and foxes, as well as snakes and toads?Dr Ellie Scopes, a population modeller for Forest Research, says Guernsey became an island towards the end of the last ice age before many small animals reached it."That's definitely what happened with Ireland," Dr Scopes said. "It got cut off much earlier than Britain did so has a completely different assemblage of animals."
She said some small species such as moles "could have made it over" in the past, but become extinct later.Because Guernsey is a small island, once they went extinct locally they would not be able to re-establish themselves, she said.Dr Scopes was part of a team that discovered a species of giant vole on Guernsey in 2018.She said another possible reason Guernsey did not establish a population of red squirrels, which are native to Britain and France, is because they "like tree cover" and Guernsey does not have larger areas of woodland.However other species such as field voles and common shrews could thrive on Guernsey if they became established.Dr Scopes said a single animal, even a pregnant female, was "highly unlikely" to be able to establish a viable population because of inbreeding."You need quite a few to start a population," she said, potentially as many as 20 to 40 individuals."Very interestingly, Ireland has had a population of greater white-tooth shrews introduced recently," Dr Scopes said, adding that they are suspected to have come into the country hidden in some hay.
Ice age
Guernsey and the other Channel Islands were originally joined to mainland France but broke away towards the end of the ice age, according to Guernsey Museums.Guernsey and Alderney were separated from the French mainland about 11,200 years ago, a spokesperson said.Herm and Sark became separate from Guernsey 2,500 to 3,000 years later.Jersey separated from the mainland much later, around 6,000 years ago according to the island's government.Unlike Guernsey, Jersey has a native species of toad as well as red squirrels, which were introduced to the island in the late 1800s, Jersey's government said.Grey squirrels are native to North America and classed as an invasive species in the UK because of the threat they pose to native red squirrels.They were first brought to the UK by the Victorians as an "ornamental species" in gardens of stately homes.They can out-compete smaller reds for food and habitat, and some also carry a virus fatal to the native species.Releasing greys in the UK was banned in 1930, but they have spread across England, Wales and large parts of Scotland.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
16 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
New Forest cicada being reintroduced in UK after extinction
The New Forest cicada (Cicadetta montana) was once found across the New Forest, but the last confirmed sightings were back in the 1990s. Conservationists believe the insects became extinct in the UK because of changes to the way land was managed. Native wild animals in the UK New Forest cicada reintroduced to the UK as scientists say "it's like bringing them back from the dead" Species Recovery Trust project officer, Charlotte Carne, said: 'This has been a really challenging project so it's amazing to see New Forest cicadas in England after all this time. 'It's like bringing them back from the dead.' The Trust recruited a French entomologist this week who captured the 11 female cicadas in northern France and had them shipped to the UK on Wednesday (June 11). It is understood that some of the insects are already pregnant and have been laying eggs in their specially created habitat, which is full of their favourite plants such as raspberry canes and hazel tree saplings. Because cicadas spend at least four years underground as nymphs, the trust will not know until 2029 at the earliest whether this phase of the project has been successful. If they survive, the conservationists can release the adults at secret locations in the New Forest. Species Recovery Trust has said reintroducing the New Forest cicada to the UK is like "bringing them back from the dead". (Image: Pete Hughes/PA) In the meantime, Species Recovery Trust said it hopes to import more cicadas from France to continue the breeding programme at Paultons Park. They are also studying populations of the same species in Slovenia to learn more about their behaviour. Species Recovery Trust director, Dominic Price, said: 'We believe the New Forest cicada probably went extinct because of changes to the way land was managed, but we have worked with Forestry England to put the right kind of management in place. 'What's more, we think that our warming climate could also favour their survival, so we are very hopeful that one day soon, cicadas will sing in the New Forest again.' This project is the first of its kind and has been funded by Natural England, the Swire Charitable Trust and the Valentine Charitable Trust. Acting deputy director for the Thames Solent Area Team at Natural England, Graham Horton, added: 'This project represents a remarkable achievement, showcasing the dedication, innovation and teamwork that made it possible. 'After years of absence, we finally have New Forest cicada on English shores again and we look forward to the next phase of the project to explore re-establishing this species in the New Forest.' What is a New Forest cicada? New Forest cicadas are described as "musical" insects and are known for their singing. Buglife explains: "New forest cicada males are known for their characteristic high pitched singing which they perform to woo females for mating. "The pitch of the Cicadas song is so high that it is at the limits of human hearing, and a struggle for most adults to hear." RECOMMENDED READING: The adult insects are black with distinct golden rings and transparent wings, with females growing to about 5cm while males are slightly smaller. Once New forest cicadas hatch, they are often found high up in trees out of sight, Buglife reports, making them "extremely difficult to find". "Singing is therefore one of the most effective methods of finding these elusive insects," the experts added.
Rhyl Journal
a day ago
- Rhyl Journal
Singing cicadas brought back to UK from France after disappearing in 1990s
Scientists at the Species Recovery Trust this week released 11 New Forest cicadas into a specially created habitat at Paultons Park – just outside the Hampshire woods where they once sang. The New Forest cicada, Cicadetta montana, was once found across the New Forest but the last confirmed sightings were in the 1990s. Conservationists believe the insects became extinct in the UK because of changes to the way land was managed. Charlotte Carne, Species Recovery Trust project officer, said: 'This has been a really challenging project so it's amazing to see New Forest cicadas in England after all this time. 'It's like bringing them back from the dead.' The adult insects are black with distinct golden rings and transparent wings, with females growing to about 5cm while males are slightly smaller. The Trust recruited a French entomologist this week who captured the 11 female cicadas in northern France and had them shipped to the UK on Wednesday. It is understood that some of the insects are already pregnant and have been laying eggs in their specially created habitat, which is full of their favourite plants such as raspberry canes and hazel tree saplings. Because cicadas spend at least four years underground as nymphs, the trust will not know until 2029 at the earliest whether this phase of the project has been successful. If they survive, the conservationists can release the adults at secret locations in the New Forest. In the meantime, the team said it hopes to import more cicadas from France to continue the breeding programme at Paultons Park. They are also studying populations of the same species in Slovenia to learn more about their behaviour. Dominic Price, Species Recovery Trust director, said: 'We believe the New Forest cicada probably went extinct because of changes to the way land was managed, but we have worked with Forestry England to put the right kind of management in place. 'What's more, we think that our warming climate could also favour their survival, so we are very hopeful that one day soon, cicadas will sing in the New Forest again.' The first-of-its-kind project has been funded by Natural England, the Swire Charitable Trust and the Valentine Charitable Trust. Graham Horton, acting deputy director for the Thames Solent Area Team at Natural England, said: 'This project represents a remarkable achievement, showcasing the dedication, innovation and teamwork that made it possible. 'After years of absence, we finally have New Forest cicada on English shores again and we look forward to the next phase of the project to explore re-establishing this species in the New Forest.'
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- The Herald Scotland
Singing cicadas brought back to UK from France after disappearing in 1990s
The New Forest cicada, Cicadetta montana, was once found across the New Forest but the last confirmed sightings were in the 1990s. Conservationists believe the insects became extinct in the UK because of changes to the way land was managed. Charlotte Carne with the team at Paultons Park (Pete Hughes/PA) Charlotte Carne, Species Recovery Trust project officer, said: 'This has been a really challenging project so it's amazing to see New Forest cicadas in England after all this time. 'It's like bringing them back from the dead.' The adult insects are black with distinct golden rings and transparent wings, with females growing to about 5cm while males are slightly smaller. The Trust recruited a French entomologist this week who captured the 11 female cicadas in northern France and had them shipped to the UK on Wednesday. It is understood that some of the insects are already pregnant and have been laying eggs in their specially created habitat, which is full of their favourite plants such as raspberry canes and hazel tree saplings. Because cicadas spend at least four years underground as nymphs, the trust will not know until 2029 at the earliest whether this phase of the project has been successful. If they survive, the conservationists can release the adults at secret locations in the New Forest. In the meantime, the team said it hopes to import more cicadas from France to continue the breeding programme at Paultons Park. They are also studying populations of the same species in Slovenia to learn more about their behaviour. A New Forest cicada (Pete Hughes/Species Recovery Trust/PA) Dominic Price, Species Recovery Trust director, said: 'We believe the New Forest cicada probably went extinct because of changes to the way land was managed, but we have worked with Forestry England to put the right kind of management in place. 'What's more, we think that our warming climate could also favour their survival, so we are very hopeful that one day soon, cicadas will sing in the New Forest again.' The first-of-its-kind project has been funded by Natural England, the Swire Charitable Trust and the Valentine Charitable Trust. Graham Horton, acting deputy director for the Thames Solent Area Team at Natural England, said: 'This project represents a remarkable achievement, showcasing the dedication, innovation and teamwork that made it possible. 'After years of absence, we finally have New Forest cicada on English shores again and we look forward to the next phase of the project to explore re-establishing this species in the New Forest.'
