64
THE ESSEX NATURALIST
The History and Distribution of Squirrels in Essex
By Stephen Harris
Department of Zoology, Royal Holloway College, Egham, Surrey
The change in status and distribution of both the Grey Squirrel (Sciurus
carolinensis Gmelin) and Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris Linnaeus) in Essex
is well documented, although the relevant information is scattered through
a number of publications and the unpublished records of both the Essex
Field Club and the Colchester and Essex Museum. The aim of this paper
is to bring all this information together, in order to present a composite
picture of the change in status of both species. The post-1960 records are
largely those sent to the Mammal Recorders of the Essex Field Club.
Each species is dealt with individually and a historical account of the
change in status of each is presented. This is followed by a discussion of
the significance of the findings, in which the two species are dealt with
together. The information presented here only deals with the changes that
have occurred since Laver (1898) published his monograph on the mammals
of Essex.
The Maps
Maps 1 and 3, which show the rate of decline of the Red Squirrel and
the rate of spread of the Grey Squirrel, are intended only to show the main
fronts of decline and advance. Stragglers were, of course, recorded outside
the main areas indicated. Conversely not every piece of suitable habitat
within the range of the species was colonised. However, these limitations
do not detract from the usefulness of the two maps, if they are interpreted
properly.
On the maps where individual records are shown, each symbol denotes
a one-kilometre square from which at least one record has been received,
thereby keeping to the same format used in the series of papers being
published on the mammals of Essex (Corke and Harris 1972, Cowlin 1972).
Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)
Pre-1945 Red Squirrel Records
Laver (1898) recorded that 'This elegant and active little animal is so
well known that very little need be said about it. It occurs in all parts of
the county where suitable spots (that is woods) are to be found.' Shortly
afterwards, however, Stubbs (1914) disagreed with these remarks. He
noted a Red Squirrel near Ambersbury Banks in Epping Forest in that
year, and commented that this was the first squirrel he had seen in Essex
in the last three years. Stubbs also quoted Laver's comments, adding that
he had spent 'a good deal of time in such localities and never noticed the
animal'.