Guidance

Management Requirements for Woodland Supplement WS3: Squirrel Control and Management: operations note 60

Updated 28 February 2023

Applies to England

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1. Purpose

This operations note is to be used to determine the appropriate works within Woodland Supplement WS3 – Squirrel Control and Management. WS3 is only eligible to be used in conjunction with Countryside Stewardship (CS) Woodland Improvement Option WD2 and will be used to support the increased effort to control grey squirrels.

Effective use of supplement will increase resilience within the woodland, support and help protect red squirrels (where present), and the biodiversity and structure of the site. Wider environmental benefits are likely to occur beyond the site boundary because of this option.

2. What you need to do

Guidance for each step of the process is provided for each of the mandatory requirements which are:

Demonstrable increases or maintenance of acceptable levels of grey squirrel control from the start of the CS agreement.

A draft Squirrel Control Plan (SCP), using WS3.1 Grey Squirrel Control Plan, to be submitted and agreed with the Woodland Officer or Forestry Commission specialist at the time of application and active from the start of Year 1. Use WS3.2 Grey Squirrel Control Plan Guidance, to help you complete the plan.

A reviewed SCP agreed with the Woodland Officer or Forestry Commission specialist by the end of year 1.

Erect an agreed number of traps/trap sites and/or bait stations, and/or engage in shooting within your woodland and land within the same holding (Single Business Identifier (SBI) number) which is immediately adjacent to and connected with the relevant WD2 parcels and as shown in your SCP (capital item FY3 is available for WS3 applications). Traps and other items are expected to be active throughout the 5-year period.

Collection and submission of cull data, using WS3.3 Squirrel Cull and Effort Record, annually to the Forestry Commission, that includes a record of squirrels culled, and time spent culling (effort).

An agreed number of impact/activity surveys to be completed and a Squirrel Survey Summary Template submitted to the Forestry Commission by the end of year 1, 3 and 5. Use WS3.5 NFC Squirrel Activity and Impact Recording Sheet and WS3.6 NCF Activity and Impact Methodology for guidance.

The cull data and survey report need to be submitted to your local Forestry Commission area mammal management mailbox:

These mailboxes are for submissions of your review documents and plans only. Please read the guidance below on how to label your email for submission.

2.1 Applicant supporting information

  • annual training and awareness days will be available in all Forestry Commission areas to provide support with management plan writing and the completion of monitoring requirements. Your local Forestry Commission office will be able to provide details
  • opportunities for squirrel control training (trapping and shooting methods of control) will be signposted by your Woodland Officer or Forestry Commission specialist

3. How to submit and review documents

When you are ready to submit the cull data and survey report, or any other WS3 review document requested of you, you must title your email accordingly.

Your application’s SBI number, your application’s CRM number and Estate name (name of Woodland), the name of the document you are submitting and which review year the document is relevant to (if submitting a document at year 2 of the 5, it would be titled YR2).

For an example your email title would look like this: “123456789 CRM-1234567-A8A9A0 Woods Estate Cull data YR2”.

This title template must be used to submit your information.

Using the relevant mailbox of your local Forestry Commission Area office your document will be recorded, and a recipient email will be sent back to you confirming that it has been received. It is important to submit your documents to the right Forestry Commission area team.

Only email addresses of applicants/agents with authority are allowed to send in these documents.

4. Further advice

Read guidance on controlling grey squirrels in forests and woodlands in the UK by Forest Research.

Information on red squirrel conservation is available through the UK Squirrel Accord.

Use Countryside Stewardship grant finder to find all the information you need to apply for grant support. Alternatively, you can request this information from your local Forestry Commission office.

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