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Are nest boxes a useful tool in regional red squirrel conservation programs?

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Pia Schuchert

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0).

Abstract

We examined temporal (annual & seasonal) patterns of nest box occupancy by red squirrels in a coniferous habitat in Great Britain. The effects of woodland habitat variation, and competition from nesting Great tits were investigated over a nine year period using basic linear models with a binomial error structure. Box use varied seasonally with peaks in the summer and autumn and was positively associated with the abundance of larch. 60 nest boxes yielded nine red squirrel carcasses, and although a small number, the material would be useful in genetic and viral infection studies. Nest boxes were not favoured by breeding female red squirrels and only three litters were found. We highlight the value and limitation of nest boxes as a tool in the applied conservation of red squirrels, and make recommendations for future areas of research on this topic.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Shuttleworth CM, Schuchert P

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Hystrix: the Italian Journal of Mammalogy

Year: 2014

Volume: 25

Issue: 2

Pages: 91-94

Print publication date: 01/12/2014

Acceptance date: 25/08/2014

Date deposited: 06/04/2016

ISSN (print): 0394-1914

ISSN (electronic): 1825-5272

Publisher: Associazione Teriologica Romana

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.4404/hystrix-25.2-10115

DOI: 10.4404/hystrix-25.2-10115

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