Original Author: Mel Tonkin Why are some squirrels losing so much hair in the spring that parts of them are completely bald? Every year in April to May we get a flurry of queries relating to red squirrels that have lost large parts of their coat, leaving large areas of their body totally hairless. Often […]
Category: Blog
2016 Spring Survey Report
Original Author: Mel Tonkin – SSRS Project Manager In Spring of 2016 a magnificent 222 tetrads, each with 4 feeder-boxes, were completed across our project areas – that’s 2,664 hair samples! The coverage we achieve with our surveys is in large measure down to the amazing volunteer effort that goes into looking after the […]
Sprinting Winter Squirrels
Original Author: Stewart Smith and Mel Tonkin Spring in southern Scotland is on the cusp of springing. Leaf buds bulge on trees, and daffodil bulbs are nudging each other, encouraging one to launch a shoot. Red Squirrels breed early in the year, and adult females can be pregnant as early as mid January. It is […]
To feed or not to feed?
Original Author: Alexa Seagrave We often get asked about feeding red squirrels, and the very best thing you can do is make your garden as wildlife friendly as possible. Planting native shrubs and small trees for berries and nuts will provide the best natural food for free and give the best nutrition. So get out […]
Shape up with the squirrel diet plan
Original Author: Stewart Smith – Squirrel Volunteer As we prepare our special flexible-waisted ‘January trousers’ ahead of the Christmas eating onslaught, our favourite redhead has other ideas. Your average adult red squirrel weighs in at a svelte 330 grams. It enjoys regular exercise – scampering and climbing being favourite pursuits. Its slim physique […]
Cosy hideouts
Original Author: Stewart Smith – Squirrel Volunteer How do squirrels survive the winter? Do they hibernate? The cold weather is a tough time for animals, how do they managed to stay warm? Winter has arrived in Scotland. People are trudging home in the dark at 4 o’clock, and newspapers are threatening blizzards, and “the […]
Beechmast and acorns everywhere
Original Author: Stewart Smith – Squirrel Volunteer A good mast year with lots of nuts around is good news and bad news for red squirrels. Lots of food means an easier winter but it also means grey squirrels have an easy time too and will have higher breeding success the following year. As […]
A lucky escape!
Original Author: Steve Willis Sometimes trail cameras pick up some pretty unusual animal behaviour… The SSRS team use trail cameras for much of our survey work. As these amazing devices have come down in price their popularity has risen and risen. And for good reason too – they are unobtrusive ways to observe […]
Squirrel Spring Antics
Young squirrels are making their first trips out into the woods this month. Keep your eyes open for mini-squirrels with fresh fluffy tails and let us know where you spotted them. We’d love to hear if squirrels are breeding near you! Our native red squirrel is a truly endearing wee creature. More demure and […]
Survey Season Approaches….
Original Author: Steve Willis The big focus for the SSRS team now is the annual spring survey. So the festivities of Christmas and the New Year are behind us now and it’s back to the grind stone for the team at SSRS. Grey squirrel control is underway in most areas and a key task […]