Following the latest government guidelines, it has been agreed between Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels and the Scottish Wildlife Trust that all red squirrel outdoor volunteer work will be temporarily suspended with immediate effect.
This means that all registered Scottish Wildlife Trust volunteers carrying out grey squirrel control and/or survey work on behalf of Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels should stop. You will not be covered by the Trust’s insurance policy while the suspension is in place, and will not be provided with additional materials. Volunteer expenses cannot be claimed for work carried out during this period.
Survey volunteers
Please do not travel to your feeder boxes while the suspension is in place.
Grey squirrel control volunteers (including both trap-hosts and dispatchers)
Traps must not be set while the suspension is in place. If you have traps that are currently open please secure them shut immediately, as long as it is safe for you to do so. If you are unable to do so or have any concerns about travelling to your traps please contact your local Conservation Officer as soon as possible (with a 10 figure grid reference for each trap or a detailed location description). Where traps are currently set, our staff will endeavour to secure them shut if at all possible.
This was not an easy decision to make. Together we have made great strides in recent years, and we are fully aware that this could be a critical decision for red squirrel conservation in Scotland. However, our staff and volunteers are the greatest asset we have in the effort to protect our native red squirrel populations, and your safety and public safety is of utmost importance at all times.
The Trust will review the suspension in three weeks’ time, when the current lockdown is due to be reviewed by the government. We will keep all our volunteers fully informed, and if you have any questions or concerns you can contact us at squirrels@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk or via your local Community Engagement Officer or Conservation Officer.
With the potential loss of spring survey data, squirrel sightings will be more important than ever. So if you are outside to exercise and you happen to see a red or grey squirrel, you can still help by reporting it online.
Thank you for all the incredible work you are doing to protect Scotland’s red squirrels.