MORE than 1,200 grey squirrels were recorded as culled across Cornwall during the first nine months of 2026 as part of the Cornwall Squirrel Project.

A spokesperson for the project wrote in its regular newsletter: “We know this is only a proportion of the total number being managed, as many people do not currently record or report their control activity.

“As more people become involved and more records are submitted, we hope to build an increasingly useful picture of landscape-scale grey squirrel management across the county.”

Cornwall Squirrel Project is a working collaborative group whose associates include Cornwall Council’s Forest For Cornwall and the South West Lakes Trust. It aims to protect Cornwall’s biodiversity and property from the negative impacts of the invasive North American grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), which was introduced into the UK in the 1800s by wealthy landowners for ornamental purposes.

However, the grey squirrels would compete successfully with native red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) for food and habitat, as well as importing disease, with the end result that there are now roughly 2.7 million greys across the UK, compared with fewer than 287,000 reds, which are protected by law.

Grey squirrels are also known to damage trees by stripping the bark from the main stems, to feed on the sweet, nutrient-rich layers underneath. As such, the working group claims the species poses a significant risk to Cornwall’s ancient woodlands, temperate rainforests, tree planting efforts, sustainable timber production, carbon sequestration, flood management and property across the county.

The group strives to promote the health, resilience, and biodiversity of native flora and fauna, with a long-term aspiration to reintroduce native red squirrels.

The project came first in a recent Truro Waitrose Green Token Scheme, winning £1,500, which will be put towards “the practical work of the Cornwall Squirrel Project”.

Training for controlling grey squirrel numbers, accredited by British Red Squirrel and sponsored by Forest for Cornwall, is open to anyone from professional foresters and pest controllers to government and conservation staff, householders and small woodland owners. Two courses are taking place in November, at Paradise Park on November 17 and Pentillie Castle Estate on November 19. Email [email protected] to book a place.