News and Blogs

  Following the latest government guidelines, it has been agreed between Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels and the Scottish Wildlife Trust that all red squirrel outdoor volunteer work will be temporarily suspended with immediate effect.   This means that all registered Scottish Wildlife Trust volunteers carrying out grey squirrel control and/or survey work on behalf of Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels should stop. You will not be covered by the Trust’s insurance policy while the suspension is in place, and will not be provided with additional materials. Volunteer expenses cannot be claimed for work carried out during this period.   Survey volunteers Please do not travel to your feeder boxes while the suspension is in place.   Grey squirrel control volunteers (including both trap-hosts and dispatchers) Traps must not be set while the suspension is in place. If you have traps that are currently open please secure them shut immediately, as long as it is safe for you to do so. If you are unable to do so or have any concerns about travelling to your traps please contact your local Conservation Officer as soon as possible (with a 10 figure grid reference for each trap or a detailed location description). Where traps are currently set, our staff will endeavour to secure them shut if at all possible.   This was not an easy decision to make. Together we have made great strides in recent years, and we are fully aware that this could be a ...

  Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels has published the results of its 2019 annual survey, which indicate that most of Scotland’s red squirrel populations have remained stable for another year, and the notable decline in grey squirrel territory in the North East continues.   For almost a decade, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) has been monitoring squirrel populations in the parts of the country where red squirrels are most threatened by the spread of non-native grey squirrels. The findings enable the National Lottery-funded project to evaluate its efforts to reduce grey squirrel numbers and halt the decline of red squirrel populations in these areas. The spring survey has been carried out in project areas in the north of Scotland since 2011, and in the south since 2013. In recent years results have indicated that red squirrel populations have stabilised, following several decades of decline. In the south of Scotland (Dumfries & Galloway, the Scottish Borders and parts of Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire), the number of survey sites reporting red squirrels remained between 51-52%, but encouragingly, the number of sites with grey squirrels fell from 60% to 51% in the 2019 survey and the number of sites with only red squirrels increased from 29% to 34%. Dr Mel Tonkin, Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels Project Manager, said: “The small changes in favour of red squirrels in the south of Scotland are certainly promising, but survey results can flu ...

  We couldn’t save Scotland’s red squirrels without the support of our volunteers, and your health and safety is of utmost importance to us. Following the latest advice from both the Scottish Government and our lead partner, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, we would like to issue the following guidance to all our volunteers in light of the current coronavirus pandemic:   Individual volunteers Most volunteer activities (for example participating in the spring survey or grey squirrel control) involve lone working in remote locations with one-to-one training, and therefore do not pose a significant risk. However, volunteers should continue to follow the usual health and safety precautions such as thorough hand-washing after contact with feeder boxes and traps. Health and safety advice for your volunteering role can be found in your volunteering induction pack, and can also be downloaded from the SSRS Community Hub. If you have any questions or concerns about your volunteering activities, or if you are required to self-isolate, please contact your local Community Engagement Officer or Conservation Officer for further advice.   Volunteer groups All scheduled red squirrel volunteer events, meetings and group training sessions organised by SSRS will be postponed for the time being, and it is our recommendation that our volunteer networks do the same for their own organised gatherings. Your local Community Engagement Officer or Conservation Officer will ...

The Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrel (SSRS) team are very saddened by the recent passing of Brian Fishwick, SSRS volunteer and founding member of the Glenkens Red Squirrel Group. Described as a ‘leading light’ by his peers, Brian’s enthusiasm and commitment to the cause has been an inspiration to many and instrumental in the ongoing protection of red squirrel populations across Dumfries and Galloway in recent years. Brian helped establish the Glenkens Red Squirrel Group in 2014 at a time when the red squirrels of the Glenkens were under significant threat from large numbers of invasive greys.  Brian worked tirelessly to reduce the grey squirrels in his local area, allowing the reds to recover and turning the tide of their fate.  Brian began his work in the Glenkens at a time when there were few active volunteer groups operating in the south of Scotland. Since then the Glenkens group has not only played a crucial role in protecting red squirrels in their local area, they have also helped inspire and support multiple new groups emerging across Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders, helping to bring them all together under the banner of the Red Squirrel Forum for South Scotland. Brian’s gamekeeping background gave him the knowledge and skills needed to make a real difference on the ground when it came to grey squirrel control, experience he happily shared with others and which he used to build strong relationships with local landowners. He also worked ...

  Our Tayside team have relocated to Blairgowrie.   The new office is more centrally located in the project area, allowing staff and volunteers to stay better connected. You can now reach the Tayside team at: Blairgowrie Business Centre Room 1 9 Reform Street Blairgowrie, PH10 6BD   Please note the landline phone number used at the previous office at Camperdown Park is no longer in use. To get in touch with the team directly you can contact Conservation Officer Ann-Marie MacMaster on 07739 428211, email amacmaster@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk  

  Network groups across South Scotland priority areas are ensuring the long-term survival of native red squirrels through community action. In our project’s priority areas, some of these groups are already beginning to see red squirrel populations bounce back.   Red squirrel groups have been invaluable in collective conservation efforts to date in South Scotland and are led by enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers. These volunteers make contributions at every level; from fundraising and public awareness to survey and monitoring to grey squirrel trapping and dispatch.   Earlier this month, we published a new guide for these groups on how to build a volunteer network. This easy to follow guide contains everything you need to know from setting up your first meeting to sourcing new members and funding. Today, we wanted to share first hand experiences and lessons learned from those who have joined the movement and established their own local groups.     Gatehouse Squirrel Group The Gatehouse Squirrel Group was founded in early 2015, in response to a perceived increase of grey squirrels and the detection of squirrelpox in surrounding areas. Since then the group has come on leaps and bounds, with a network that now extends from the Carrick Shore to Creetown on the coast, and inland towards Laurieston and Ringford. Peter Garson, Chairman of the group, talked us through his experiences of creating an incorporated group. � ...

Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels have been working in partnership with Aberdeen City Council to develop strategies for protecting Scotland’s native red squirrels in the North East since the project first began. At the ALGE (Association of Local Government Ecologists) awards in December, this work was acknowledged with a special commendation certificate.     Celebrating ALGE’s 25th year anniversary, the Association recognised its members’ and partners’ contributions to furthering nature conservation and the way it is delivered at local government level through a series of awards. Ten proactive projects and organisations were nominated for the collaborative working award; including the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels project.   Following years of targeted control efforts throughout Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire, red squirrels have begun to recolonise and make their way back into the city centre. Aberdeen residents are now reporting sightings of reds squirrels returning to areas that have only known grey squirrels for several decades.     Ian Talboys, Aberdeen City Council Countryside Officer and Gwen Maggs, SSRS North East Conservation Officer with the ALGE Awards Certificate   This result would not have been possible without the support of Aberdeen City Council; a collaboration that has facilitated access to, and management within crucial habitats on council land. The initiative has proven hugely s ...

  We have not one but three exciting new opportunities to join the Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels team in 2020.   Conservation Officer Location: Aberdeen Region: North East Scotland (Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire) Contract: Fixed term until March 2022 Closing date: 12 noon, Monday 20 January The successful candidate will manage a small team of grey squirrel management professionals to deliver an established programme of grey squirrel control and support volunteer-delivered surveys to monitor red and grey squirrels. Working in partnership with land managers and householders, Forest and Land Scotland and Aberdeen City Council, the Conservation Officer will engage with the public to engender support for the project. He/she will promote the project to stakeholders and engage with the local and national media. APPLY NOW   Project Administrator Location: Leith Region: Nationwide Contract: Fixed term for 2 years Closing date: 12 noon, Monday 13 January A vacancy has arisen for a highly organised and efficient Administrator to work alongside project staff in delivering and developing the project’s Community Engagement and Communications plan.  The post holder will play a key role supporting staff through sourcing and purchase of equipment, booking and administration of a programme of events and volunteer training across all project regions and ensuring that project staff are supported in a variety of ...

  Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels has published the results of this year’s Great Scottish Squirrel Survey, when over 600 people reported 828 sightings in just one week. The results will enhance conservationists’ understanding of squirrel populations across Scotland. The campaign, which ran from 23 – 29 September, encouraged the Scottish public to spend some time exploring the outdoors while keeping a lookout for both red and grey squirrels. Sightings were reported on the project website. Dr Mel Tonkin, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Project Manager said: “Sightings records give us a good indication of how red and grey squirrel populations are distributed. Monitoring changes in these populations over time helps us understand the situation and make better conservation decisions. “We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to get outdoors and take part in the survey”   The results map shows that red squirrels are still widespread across the north of the country, with a large number of sightings reported in Scotland’s Central Lowlands to the north of Edinburgh and Glasgow. In the North East, the only grey squirrel sightings were concentrated in Aberdeen. Targeted control work has significantly reduced this population in recent years, and efforts have been rewarded with increasingly frequent red squirrel sightings in city locations such as Duthie Park and Aberdeen University. The majority of grey squirrel sightings during the ...

  Dr Jenny Bryce, Scottish Natural Heritage Wildlife Ecologist, discusses how evidence is shaping conservation strategy; reflecting on invasives insights upon the publication of a paper co-written by Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels’ Dr Mel Tonkin.   In July 2017 Mel Tonkin, SSRS Project Manager, presented a paper at the IUCN Island Invasives conference held in Dundee. This was the third Island Invasives conference and a valuable opportunity to share experiences of invasive species related conservation projects from across the globe. The theme for this conference was ‘scaling up to meet the challenge’; particularly fitting for a landscape-scale project as it progressed from demonstrating effectiveness to sustaining action. Although not set up as a scientific research project, SSRS has always advocated a data-driven approach to evaluating the effectiveness of conservation activity. Following the publication of the paper, we take the opportunity to reflect on what evidence has highlighted to date. A key question has always been, how much grey squirrel control is required in Scotland to protect red squirrels and how can it be delivered? The paper provides a narrative of how the project has sought to co-ordinate red squirrel protection over the project’s lifetime with a focus on evidence gathered. At the outset it is recognised that grey squirrel control has differing goals in various project areas - based on how established grey populations are; ...