Great Scottish Squirrel Survey 2021: the results

…the opportunity to get to know their local patch of nature. However, clearly many people have caught the squirrel-spotting bug as we have still received more than 13,000 sightings to our website so far this year. Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in our citizen science campaign, and to all the organisations, community groups and volunteers… […]

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Vital protections for red squirrels at risk

…outlining the concerns and requesting a public consultation. A public consultation would enable our volunteers, supporters and everyone who cares about Scotland’s wildlife to join us in expressing their views. You can read the letter here.   Update from JNCC on 27 July 2021   Update 13 September 2021 The Scottish Wildlife Trust has lodged a question with Alexander Burnett… […]

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Busy breeding

…leaves and grasses. Breeding dreys tend to be fairly large, around the size of a football, and are most often situated in a forked branch, supported against the trunk, around 6 -12m above the ground. Squirrels with large mouthfuls of moss or grass are collecting fresh lining materials. Mark Chambers Breeding Biology Red squirrel breeding is influenced by a number… […]

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All things invasive with the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative

…produces 20-30,000 seeds per flower head They are successful dispersers e.g. Himalayan balsam has exploding seed pods that spread its seed several metres, and a female mink can travel 80km in search of a breeding territory In addition, invasive plants often readily thrive on disturbed soils and making them very opportunistic and able to rapidly colonise a new area. They… […]

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Introducing the new Eastern Lowlands Red Squirrel Group

…do this we need to work out land ownership of particular woodlands, get permission to survey and control these woodlands and recruit volunteers to carry out the work. If you can help in any way please do not hesitate to get in touch!   Hollie and Val – Eastern Lowlands Red Squirrel Group Email: elredsquirrelgroup@gmail.com Social Media: Facebook and Instagram […]

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Southern Uplands Partnership Guest Blog: Funding Success for Red Squirrel Recovery Network

…over £250,000 are assessed in two rounds. Red Squirrel recovery Network has initially been granted round one development funding of £158,600 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, allowing it to progress with its plans. Detailed proposals are then considered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund at second round, where a final decision is made on the full funding award. As… […]

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SSRS Knowledge Fair

SSRS Knowledge Fair: celebrating five years of developing community action   3-4 December 2021 As our ‘Developing Community Action’ phase comes to an end we will be celebrating all the project has achieved alongside our partners, volunteers, landowners and supporters. This virtual Knowledge Fair will also provide an opportunity to learn more about red squirrel conservation work happening across Scotland… […]

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Squirrel Sightings: an inside look

Republished from 09/17/2021 by Victoria Chanin   The Great Scottish Squirrel Survey 2022 is right around the corner, and now in its fourth year, we are very excited to see this year’s results! For those who haven’t participated before, the Great Scottish Squirrel Survey is a week-long event in the autumn during National Red Squirrel Awareness Week when we call… […]

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HRH The Prince of Wales gives special thanks to volunteers on Red Squirrel Appreciation Day

…from His Royal Highness.   HRH The Prince of Wales wrote: “21st January 2021 is Red Squirrel Awareness Day and, as Patron of the Red Squirrel Survival Trust, my thoughts turn naturally to all those throughout the United Kingdom who volunteer their skills and their time to fight for the survival of the red squirrel, and for native British trees,… […]

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Introducing the newest faces of our scurry

  2020 was a year of change for many, and for Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, we were fortunate enough to welcome in new members of the team while overcoming the challenges of covid-19. Having worked from home since starting their roles, we wanted to take the opportunity to bring forward the newest faces of SSRS from behind their computer screens… […]

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This Year's Sightings