Spring Monitoring Programme

We began the annual red and grey squirrel monitoring programme back in 2012. This large scale citizen science project is repeated each year in spring, where we sample over 200 woodlands and gardens across northern England. Surveys are carried out using trail cameras, by walking through woodlands and recording squirrels seen, or by observing squirrels visiting garden feeders. 

Gary Storey at Matfen survey 2016

If you would like to participate in the next spring monitoring programme please contact us.

Fig.1. Red and grey squirrel site occupancy for all spring surveys 2012-2024 shown as a percentage of the total number of surveys completed each year. (Years prior to 2021 = 2-week survey window; 2021 onwards = 4-week surveys)
Annual Monitoring In Numbers Infographic 2024
Fig. 2. Results for all 246 survey tetrads from annual monitoring in spring 2024
Grey Squirrel mangement footprint by 2km² (local community and project data) - i.e. where greys were removed
Red Squirrel detection by 2km² using all records community and project monitoring and sightings