Scotland’s Red Squirrels

Scotland’s Red Squirrels Red squirrels are one of Scotland’s most loved animals, and they are our only native squirrel species. Red squirrels were once widespread throughout the country. There are still many places you could encounter one today, from the conifer forests of Galloway, to the Atlantic hazel woodlands of Argyll, to the country estates of Tayside or the Caledonian… […]

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

…most relevant to red squirrel conservation and the work of SSRS: Question 2a: Have we captured the key actions needed to deliver the objective: accelerate restoration and regeneration? Question 2g: Have we captured the key actions needed to deliver the objective: embed nature positive farming, fishing and forestry? Question 2j: Have we captured the key actions needed to deliver the […]

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

…Wildlife Trust volunteer sign-up processes. Please email squirrels@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk. Please note SSRS will no longer be able to provide any of the financial support that was available during the Developing Community Action and Transition phases. Fundraising guidance and support is available via the Resources page on the Hub, and through the Forum via the ‘Offers and Needs’ chart.   Will SSRS… […]

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VolunteerFAQs

  Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels: the next steps in the south of Scotland Since 2017 SSRS has helped establish 17 dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer Local Network Groups across the south of Scotland, providing them with training and support to control grey squirrels and monitor, promote and protect red squirrels where they live. As our latest 2022-24 SSRS Transition Phase comes… […]

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News: Report details red squirrel conservation successes, with key recommendations for the iconic species’ long-term future in Scotland.

the national strategy for red squirrel conservation in Scotland, based on the findings of the report and success of the SSRS programme to date. Full details of the successes of the project are outlined in the report. Key highlights of the Scottish public’s contributions to red squirrel conservation include: By the end of the DCA phase 18 volunteer led groups… […]

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Q&A with Sarah Woodfin, Project Manager with Trees for Life’s Red Squirrel Reintroduction Project

…squirrels reintroduced and that we will carry out monitoring of the entire highland red squirrel population to know the current spread of the species.   Why is it so important to carry out the work the project is undertaking? As habitat has been restored to the north-west coast following deforestation in the past centuries, it is important to restore the […]

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Faces Old and New at Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels

…team and she also works closely with the Tayside Conservation Officer and Grey Squirrel Officers. Contact: ymcmurchie @scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk     Katie Berry: Communications & Engagement Officer Katie began her squirrel journey as the SSRS Administrator, joining the team in March 2020, just before the first covid-19 lockdown. In November 2022 she became the Communications & Engagement Officer for the team,… […]

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News: Record participation in national squirrel survey

…Scotland continues to provide a home for the bulk of the country’s red squirrels, which still occurs as the sole species of squirrel over highland Scotland. Happily, the sightings also show that the native species still occupies a large area in the south of Scotland, although here they share the landscape with grey squirrels. The largest concentration of squirrel reports… […]

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Community Hub FAQs

the group map show sightings from the current year? Yes, your group’s map shows sightings from the current year (starting in January), and you can filter for the years with the dropdown above the map. On the other hand, the map on the public SSRS homepage shows national sightings from the previous 12 months. What does the map Layers button… […]

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Celebrating a red squirrel champion

…In 2018 Peter was asked by SSRS to found the Red Squirrel Forum for South Scotland as the umbrella organisation run by volunteers for all the volunteers in the squirrel groups and networks (now 18 with around 350 members) in South Scotland. The Forum acts as a bridge with other red squirrel organisations in the UK, helping to keep the […]

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This Year's Sightings