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

to the risk to young trees from bark stripping, and the potential for newly created woodland habitats to enhance the ability of the grey squirrel population to expand into new areas. To support the key action “Ensure that forests and woodlands deliver increased biodiversity…” I would like to see grey squirrel control and monitoring recognised as a fundamental component of… […]

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

…networks will need to have in place their own group insurance to cover activities. The Red Squirrel Forum for South Scotland may be able to put you in touch with other groups who have already arranged this. Important note: Independent groups should register all their members to ensure they are covered by the group’s insurance. Template volunteer registration forms and… […]

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VolunteerFAQs

…Resources page on the Hub, and through the Forum via the ‘Offers and Needs’ chart. Will SSRS equipment and merchandise be given to volunteer networks? Any additional SSRS equipment and merchandise has been given to the Red Squirrel Forum for South Scotland to distribute amongst the independent volunteer networks. For more details and to arrange use please contact the Forum…. […]

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

…are currently in the process of setting up our next reintroduction of red squirrels to the west coast, where we will be creating a new population at Arisaig. The following spring will have a booster reintroduction to the Morvern peninsula, to top up and encourage the spread of the previous reintroduction there. The final two release sites are yet to […]

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

…of Conservation at the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the lead partner on the project, said “It’s fantastic to see the successes for red squirrels in Scotland due to the exceptional work put in by staff, landowners, and volunteers. It is essential now to recognise that this work needs to continue, and the recommendations detailed in the report are inputted into the […]

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Faces Old and New at Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels

…time for red squirrel conservation.   Nicole Still: Programme Manager Nicole joined the SSRS team in June 2022 as the new Programme Manager to oversee the team’s operations across Scotland and lead the delivery the Transition Phase’s legacy aims. Originally from the Great Lakes region in the US, Nicole has spent the last decade studying and working in temperate forests… […]

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News: Record participation in national squirrel survey

…of grey squirrels concentrated in the built-up area. Here, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels are working to contain the overspill of grey squirrels into Aberdeenshire. For the last twelve years, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels has implemented control measures along the Highland Line from the Gare Loch to Montrose to contain the incursion of the non-native grey squirrel into red squirrel strongholds… […]

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Squirrelpox: Staying ahead of the spread

…volunteers and members of the public can keep vigilant for sick red squirrels In order to be able to do that, you’ll first need to know how to recognise the symptoms of squirrelpox disease in red squirrels. The virus produces weeping lesions around the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, feet and genitalia. Overall, the infected red squirrel will appear noticeably unwell,… […]

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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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This Year's Sightings