All things invasive with the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative

…staggering 94% decline in native water vole populations? The American skunk-cabbage plant does actually smell as bad as a skunk….   White butterburr was imported as a garden ornamental from mainland Europe and SW Asia and escaped into the wild.   What is an Invasive Species? There are around 2,000 non-native plants and animals in the UK, these non-native species… […]

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News: Help stop the spread of grey squirrels in the Mearns

…Scotland for Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels said: “Grey squirrels moving north from Angus into Aberdeenshire are a serious threat to local red squirrels, as well as the core Scottish population in the Highlands. The recent reports from the Mearns are worrying and we need help to stop the spread of grey squirrels in the area. “Grey squirrels threaten red squirrels… […]

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Privacy Policy

…are Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is a partnership project that is working to ensure red squirrels continue to be a part of Scotland’s special native wildlife. With the help of partners, landowners and volunteers, the project is monitoring squirrel numbers across Scotland, managing the impact of squirrelpox and helping to combat the spread of grey squirrels in key areas. Saving… […]

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Coronavirus: Temporary suspension of SSRS non-essential volunteer work

…issuing new guidance with immediate effect.   Grey squirrel control volunteers (including both trap-hosts and dispatchers) Registered Scottish Wildlife Trust volunteers undertaking grey squirrel control are able to continue with this essential work, provided that existing guidance (issued on 11/06/2020) is adhered to and a Covid-19 Risk Assessment has been completed and reviewed. The Covid-19 Risk Assessment can be accessed… […]

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News: Almost 1000 squirrel sightings reported in one week during national survey

…interspersed with fewer grey squirrel records across Stirling and Tayside supports the project’s assessment that concerted control efforts by project staff, landowners and volunteers is helping to boost red squirrel numbers across the region. Sightings in the Scottish Borders echo recent findings from the project’s annual spring survey that there are still healthy red squirrel populations in such areas such… […]

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Scotland’s Red Squirrels

…These isolated areas are often too small to support healthy and sustainable populations of wildlife, including red squirrels.   Frequently asked questions What is squirrelpox and what can be done about it? Squirrelpox virus (SQPV) is carried by grey squirrels without causing any symptoms, but causes fatal disease in red squirrels. It produces weeping scabs around the eyes, nose, mouth,… […]

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News: Over £1M in new funding awarded to aid red squirrel recovery in Scotland

Over £1m in new funding has been announced to aid red squirrel conservation efforts in key areas across Scotland for the next two years. A total grant of £1,052,796 has been awarded by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot, which supports the restoration of wildlife and habitats across the country. The new funds will support the Scottish… […]

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

…commitment to continue to support and build upon strategies and schemes to protect and expand populations of priority species, and I am pleased to see the red squirrel mentioned in this key action as an example species. It would, however, be good to have more detail on how the government intends to support, fund, and build upon strategies and schemes… […]

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News: Get squirrel spotting during the Great Scottish Squirrel Survey next week!

Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is calling on members of the public to take part in the nationwide Great Scottish Squirrel Survey now taking place between 10-16 October (National Red Squirrel Week). Now in its fourth year, the squirrel spotting campaign is hoping to build on the previous successes of this important effort. Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) is a partnership… […]

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News: ‘Booster’ project will protect Scotland’s red squirrels for another two years

…red squirrel populations across most of England, Wales and Scotland’s Central Belt. Grey squirrels can also carry squirrelpox, a virus that doesn’t harm them but is deadly to reds. One of the project’s key aims is to build a network of local volunteers in priority areas across the south of Scotland, where healthy red squirrel populations are surrounded by greys… […]

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This Year's Sightings