Original Author: Lorna Hutchison, Volunteer Lorna Hutchison, new volunteer for the Argyll & Trossachs project area, tells us the reasons she has recently started volunteering for the project. As an undergraduate at university it was the hands-on, practical side of my biology degree that got me into conservation. Now having studied a Master’s degree in Sweden and worked in… […]
…have since displaced red squirrels in most of England and Wales, with more than 75% of the UK’s total remaining population residing in Scotland today. Over the next two years the new funding will enable the creation of new community focused rapid response monitoring and control networks across the northern Central Lowlands, made possible by increased year-round professional grey squirrel… […]
…Red Squirrels online Community Hub. Made possible thanks to National Lottery Players, the Community Hub is an online space where registered users can connect with both the project and other local squirrel enthusiasts. It’s also a tool to help people get more involved in red squirrel volunteering. Anyone can sign up and make an account, and there are different uses… […]
…in the snow revealed roe deer, badgers and pine marten shared my feeder route, with deer often observed. Red squirrels and pine marten were in residence, evidenced by their hair samples on feeder stickies. I even spotted red squirrel occasionally, flitting between trees, chirping in annoyance at my intrusions! Various butterfly species emerged in the undisturbed woodland and hay meadows… […]
Laura Preston, the new Scottish Borders Conservation Officer for Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, is calling on locals to help the project by reporting sightings of both red and grey squirrels online. Laura joins Community Engagement Officer Alexa Seagrave in the project’s new regional office near Newton St Boswells. They will be working with landowners and volunteers to protect… […]
…where dedicated squirrel spotters can register and keep a personal record of their squirrel sightings. “The comprehensive mapping allows them to view their own squirrel conservation data as well as all of the project’s long-term data. It’s a great way for people to see how their efforts are contributing to changes over time. “It’s also a meeting point where volunteers… […]
…phase is focusing on engaging with local communities, and recruiting many more volunteers in areas where red squirrels most need our help. To help us achieve this aim, we’ve recruited four new members of staff. A big welcome to Stephanie, Liz, Gill and Neil! Dr Stephanie Johnstone: Conservation Officer – South West Scotland I’ve been working in the environment… […]
…alongside large upland conifer forests where red squirrels have a natural advantage over grey squirrels. These include Galloway Forest Park, Ae Forest, Eskdalemuir, Craik, Wauchope and the Tweed Valley forests. The PARCs generally occupy lower-lying areas with greater accessibility to local people, and with concentrations of habitat that are favoured by grey squirrels (in which red squirrels are often excluded… […]
…a focus on increasing use of our Community Hub, and ensuring volunteers are able to provide the level of effort required for the long term survival of red squirrels in the region. His favourite red squirrel fact is apparently sometimes when stashing food they will do ‘dummy runs’ in case anyone is watching. They will then make sure no one… […]
…Mearns, and extending this into North-east Angus, with the support of the North-east Team in Aberde*]}*en, whilst also liaising closely with the team in Tayside. The Mearns & East Angus section of the highland line is a crucial location in both the defence of the Highland Line and ensuring that the risk of immigration into Aberde*]}*en city’s island population of… […]
