WS3.4 Squirrel activity and impact assessment guide
Updated 24 June 2025
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/management-requirements-for-woodland-supplement-ws3-squirrel-control-and-management-operations-note-60/ws34-squirrel-activity-and-impact-assessment-guide
This guide accompanies Management requirements for Woodland Supplement WS3 (squirrel control).
Guidance notes for WS3 squirrel supplement
The WS3 squirrel supplement requires that grey squirrel control is carried out to prevent excessive bark stripping damage to trees and that squirrel impact and activity are monitored.
One method of monitoring the effect of control measures on squirrel populations is to carry out a ‘grey squirrel activity and impact assessment’.
Activity and impact assessment methodology
The method used is that promoted by the National Forest Company (NFC). Read the methodology document ‘WS3.6 NFC activity and impact assessment methodology’ available on Management requirements for WS3 (squirrel control). This standard methodology reduces bias, and makes the assessments consistent, robust and repeatable.
Recording grey squirrel survey results
For the WS3 squirrel supplement, you must indicate survey start points and routes in your ‘squirrel control plan’ as agreed with your deer officer. You must use the form ‘WS3.5 NFC grey squirrel activity and impact recording sheet’ available on Management requirements for WS3 (squirrel control) to record survey results.
Summarising grey squirrel survey results
You should summarise your survey results using ‘WS3.7 Survey summary report template’ available on Management requirements for WS3 (squirrel control). You must record these so you can provide records to the RPA and Forestry Commission in years 1 and 5 with the revenue claim and then in year 3 upon request.
Keeping grey squirrel survey records
Survey records should be retained for the life of your agreement.
How to submit your records and further information
Read the guidance Management requirements for woodland supplement WS3 (squirrel control) for more information about what else you need to do for supplement WS3 and how to submit your data.
Learn more about the eligibility and requirements for WS3: Squirrel control and management.