Community action in Galloway

…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… […]

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North East Volunteer Spotlight: Celebrating our volunteer Janice Drew as she moves on to pastures new!

…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… […]

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The Spring Moult

…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…. […]

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A lucky escape!

…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!… […]

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Keeping track of red squirrel numbers in gardens around Gatehouse of Fleet

…time. This will certainly be less than the total number of reds living in your area but it is probably a good indicator of their local numbers. So, the Gatehouse survey team of over 20 households simply sends in their monthly maximum number of reds seen at once (anywhere in the garden, not just at the feeders). If you spend… […]

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Speaking up for Red Squirrels in the Consultation on Scotland’s Strategic Framework for Biodiversity

…2026. For SSRS supporters, this is an opportunity to speak up for red squirrels and make sure their interests are fully represented. The more people that respond for reds, the more likely the government will take these views into account. (c) Raymond Leinster To help SSRS supporters respond to the consultation (as there is quite a bit of content to… […]

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Faces Old and New at Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels

…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… […]

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SNOW DAY!

…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… […]

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News: Great Scottish Squirrel Survey launched to boost protection for native reds

…something a bit different. By going out and looking for squirrels during the Great Scottish Squirrel Survey people can help us create a more detailed snapshot of the current situation on the ground.” Autumn is an ideal time of year for squirrel-watching. With leaves falling they can be easier to spot as they move through the treetops, foraging for the… […]

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This Year's Sightings