How can we reduce road deaths?

…use of 6 different rope bridges. It was shown that rope bridges can be successfully installed in areas of high squirrel populations to connect areas of habitat, that there is little or no habituation period required by the squirrels before the bridges are used, and that baiting of the bridges will increase their use. A red squirrel caught on camera… […]

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Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels: the next steps in South Scotland

…skills, experiences, and advice. Examples include help with bank accounts, running of and materials for events and engagement activities, and assistance with fundraising. Please refer to the Forum ‘Offers and Needs’ chart in the first instance, available on the Hub Volunteer Communications Group (coming very soon: accessible only to volunteer network admins and sightings verifiers).   What support will be… […]

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VolunteerFAQs

…primarily to assist with cross collaboration between the groups, and put groups in touch with one another to share skills, experiences, and advice. Examples include help with bank accounts, running of and materials for events and engagement activities, and assistance with fundraising. Please refer to the Forum ‘Offers and Needs’ chart in the first instance, available on the Hub Volunteer… […]

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An update on the Heathhall squirrelpox outbreak

…and our initial response here. One of the infected red squirrels, photographed by Lisa Fuller Our first action was to remove any feeder boxes that had been installed in the woodland, to reduce inter-species and intra-species contact and therefore reduce the chances of the disease spreading further. We then set up live traps in the area with two aims. Firstly,… […]

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Introducing the new Eastern Lowlands Red Squirrel Group

…Squirrel Group Project Area   The group is led by Hollie Sutherland (Project Coordinator and ex SSRS North East Scotland Project Officer) and Val Gall (Group Operations Officer). The pair have already started working in collaboration with the long running volunteer led Fife Red Squirrel Group and they hope to join and establish further networks of volunteers, volunteer groups and… […]

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Moving forward with the Red Squirrel Forum for South Scotland

…control requires time, skill and commitment. Finding and retaining volunteers for this work in rural areas can prove challenging. Protecting red squirrels in South Scotland will require continuous effort, and therefore requires long-term funding. Awareness amongst the general public remains relatively poor, with a surprising number of people not recognising the difference between the red as an iconic native species… […]

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Knitadermy

…‘I’ve been guerrilla knitting for quite a few years now along with running the Deeside Knitwits community knitting group. Each year we make a knitted installation to help raise awareness and funds for local charities.   We started off showing our knitted nonsense at Voluntary Services Aberdeen’s Easter Anguston Farm in Peterculter. Our projects included a 20 metre long snake,… […]

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The Story of Rusty the Red

…be undertaken by experienced professionals and that the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) should always be contacted in the first instance upon finding an injured red squirrel. Over to Dawn and Terry… ‘Rusty was brought in to the vets on 20th August after being found on a road. At that point he weighed 80g and… […]

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Community action in Galloway

…we arrive to do something about it. But if we can keep the greys at bay, and thereby reduce the risk of a pox outbreak, I think we can expect to hold on to our reds for a long time to come. Road sign installed at Cally Woods, an area popular with red squirrels and tourists alike! Community support Our… […]

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Suspected Squirrelpox outbreak near Dumfries threatens local red squirrel population

…in Dumfries where they will be assessed and either treated or euthanised. “There are very few instances of red squirrels surviving the disease. Nonetheless, the South West Scotland Wildlife Hospital is on standby to receive any sick red squirrels into their isolation unit if a vet deems that they may have a chance of recovery.” Locals can help prevent further… […]

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This Year's Sightings