Report suggests that Grey Squirrels may be less inclined to feed on songbirds' eggs than is commonly supposed

                                                                       

Grey Squirrels frequently target seed and nut feeders but they may be less interested in eggs 

HOW serious a threat do Grey Squirrels pose to the eggs of nesting songbirds?

Possibly not as great as is often thought.

A report published this week on  the British Ornithologists' Union's website states that nest-camera research carried out at woodlands sites in Wales, Scotland and the Isle of Man  concluded that nest predation by squirrels was "negligible".

However, because it was evidently outside the scope of the survey, the researchers have no comment to make on their impact on nestlings.

The team's egg-predation work covered  2088 nests across a range of habitats (but few in farmland and urban sites).

The study looks at 609 separate incidents where 24 species'  eggs were predated.

It states: "Nest predation is the primary cause of nest failure across many bird species. 

"Interventions to support declining or threatened species frequently involve measures to reduce nest predation, through lethal control or non-lethal methods. 

"However, their efficacy relies on a robust understanding of predator identity. 

It continues: "Wader clutches were predominantly predated by mammals - primarily European Badger and Red Fox and, particularly on islands, European Hedgehog."

But it notes that sheep were occasionally the culprits.

It continues: "Passerine broods were taken by a wider range of predators, particularly avian predators, predominantly Eurasian Jay, Garrulus and raptors, but also reptiles." 

The report concludes: "Further work is required to expand understanding of nest predator identity so that, where appropriate for conservation, management strategies can be better informed."