…can never be overlooked. The old-fashioned methods are all we’ve got until the magic bullet arrives— most likely in the form of a magic (albeit very expensive) molecule to effectively sterilise greys. Meanwhile there is definite evidence of pine martens in our area, so hopefully they will help us out a bit too. Peter AKA ‘Sandy the Squirrel’, inspiring the… […]
…are 18 of these in South Scotland and 1 in Fife. They are always looking for volunteers to join and help with a variety of roles, including grey squirrel monitoring and control. Get in touch with your local group here: https://bit.ly/3OoRt9S We are currently specifically advertising for volunteer grey squirrel dispatchers for the Annandale, Castle Douglas and Solway Forest Red… […]
…one if you don’t mind. Sandy: Oh well, pine cones for me. Steve: Probably best Sandy. What you got there? Sandy: This is ‘Rosie’, the other SSRS mascot. She’s a knitted squirrel, made by the lovely folks of Deeside Knitwits. She looks amazing, but maybe a wee bit small if you ask me. Steve: Size isn’t everything Sandy, I think… […]
…summer coat. For reasons we don’t fully understand this sometimes leaves massive gaps in the animals coat. Besides it leaving the squirrel feeling a bit chilly in places, we are not aware that this causes them any harm. There is always the chance that this is caused or aggravated by parasites like fleas, but it is hard to be certain…. […]
…would be reported, simply out of interest. There can’t be that much overlap between the strictly diurnal (active in daylight) red squirrel and the generally nocturnal tawny owl. Perhaps this owl was feeding young and was desperate for food! Anyway, the red squirrel lived to fight another day which is good, and we wish that feisty tawny owl well too!… […]
…is pretty level, implying that our red population has remained stable. Meanwhile greys have certainly been present in greater numbers and have bred more in our area during 2019/20 than previously. For now, we can probably argue that this change has not had a significant effect on our red squirrel population. Our continuous efforts to control the greys may have… […]
…any sustainable woodland management plan where grey squirrels are present, particularly in red squirrel priority areas. The Forestry Grant Scheme is a key mechanism for this, however updates to the scheme in line with SSRS recommendations are required in order for it to be fully effective in supporting strategic landscape-wide grey squirrel control efforts It is good to see a… […]
…to help protect the ‘highland line’. With a background in Marine Biology and Fisheries she has come a bit of a circuitous route to Squirrels having previously worked for Marine Scotland as a Fish Health Inspector and laterally as an Environment Protection Officer with SEPA. Although she is primarily field based, her role sits in the North East Project area… […]
…to make my own evidence for squirrel presence at my home. I made a 1.5 metre snow squirrel, which you can see here. It only took me 45 minutes and only required snow, gloves, and a stick to hold the three main body parts together in the slanting position. I may be suffering from a little bit of cabin-fever, but… […]
…the project understand how red and grey squirrel populations are changing over time and decide where to focus conservation efforts. Dr Mel Tonkin, SSRS Project Manager said: “We monitor squirrel populations throughout the year, and in 2018 we received an incredible 8,400 squirrel sightings from members of the public. “This year, thanks to support from National Lottery players, we’re trying… […]
