Training
Below is a list of training courses that help provide skills to manage grey squirrels humanely and effectively.
If you know of others that could be added please contact info@squirrelaccord.uk
-
Grey Squirrel Control (Northern Ireland) – Ulster Wildlife (Lantra accredited)
Lantra accredited course for those involved in grey squirrel management in Northern Ireland. Ulster Wildlife deliver two funded courses each year.
Course content:
- Red squirrels vs grey squirrels
- The history of squirrels in Ireland
- The ecology of red and grey squirrels
- Reasons for controlling grey squirrels
- Legislation in Northern Ireland
- Control methods and welfare
- Health and safety
- Recording data
- Use of traps and equipment
There is a written theory test and a practical test on application to assess competency.
Contact Katy Bell at Ulster Wildlife for further information: katy.bell@ulsterwildlife.org
-
Grey Squirrel Management Competency Training – BASC & UK Squirrel Accord (BASC accredited)
BASC accredited course freely available to those involved in the UK Squirrel Accord project (thanks to Forestry Commission funding) being delivered in Yorkshire, Lancashire and County Durham to protect red squirrels and trees. It provides a sturdy foundation of theory and practical techniques for the trap and humane dispatch of grey squirrels. Training is followed by mentoring to ensure practical competency and ongoing skills development.
Course content:
-
- Squirrel ecology & behaviour
- Negative grey squirrel impacts
- Legislation & legal requirements
- Monitoring & trapping
- Humane dispatch
- Record keeping
- Risk assessments
- Useful resources
There is a written theory test and a practical test on application to assess competency.
Contact our Squirrel Officers for further information: SquirrelOfficers@squirrelaccord.uk
-
-
Grey Squirrel Management Training – British Red Squirrel (Lantra accredited)
Lantra accredited course for anyone involved in grey squirrel management for red squirrel conservation or invasive species impact reduction. Training is provided on demand at locations across Britain.
Course content:
- Squirrel ecology
- Grey squirrel management reasons
- Law
- Working together
- Health & safety
- Monitoring
- Practical methods.
There is an assessment involved in this course.
Further information is available on the British Red Squirrel website.
-
Shooting Grey Squirrels for Red Squirrel Conservation – Gardners Guns Ltd (Lantra accredited)
Lantra accredited course for suitable individuals that provides evidence of competency to be permitted to enter private land in possession of an air rifle in order to manage grey squirrels to conserve red squirrels.
Course content:
- Air rifle Safety
- Law for both England and Scotland
- Competency in the use of Air Rifle
- Best Practice
- Planning a Shoot
- Transporting Air Guns
- Risk Assessment
- Pellet Choice
- How to Zero
- Respect for your Quarry
- Maintenance of Air Guns
- Disposal
- Life cycle of Grey and Red Squirrels
- What food should be used in the feeders
- Squirrel pox
- Disposal of carcasses.
There will be a written examination, continuous assessment in safe handling of air rifles and a shooting test.
Further information and dates can be found on the Lantra website.
UKSA project
Join our project to help protect red squirrels & trees in Yorkshire, Lancashire & County Durham.
Events
Online and in-person events to raise awareness & share knowledge. Find out more & join our next one.
Fertility control
Find out about our fertility control research to offer a new method for grey squirrel management.