News and Blogs

  A rare white squirrel has been photographed near Dunkeld in Tayside.   Chris Eddington was taken by surprise while having breakfast when he spotted an unfamiliar animal in his garden through the kitchen window. With a camera close at hand, he managed to capture photographs of the visitor. The sighting and photographs were reported to Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, a partnership project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, which monitors squirrel populations across Scotland. Project staff have confirmed this is a native red squirrel with a condition called leucism. © Chris Eddington Ann-Marie MacMaster, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Conservation Officer for Tayside said: “Leucism is a genetic condition which causes loss of hair pigmentation. It is similar to albinism but does not affect eye colour. “Chris’s pictures are some of the best images we’ve seen of a leucistic red squirrel. Its distinct ear tufts and delicate body shape and size clearly distinguish this animal from its non-native cousin, the grey squirrel.” Tayside is an important area for red squirrel conservation. Work in the region is vital to prevent invasive grey squirrels from crossing the highland line and reaching the areas where the UK’s core red squirrel population resides. Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels has received a rise in squirrel sightings since the start of the lockdown, as people have more time to watch and record the wildlife they see. ...

  Following last month’s suspension of all SSRS outdoor volunteer work in light of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, the decision has been made to cancel the project’s annual survey which takes place in Spring.   After careful consideration, it has been decided that the 2020 annual Spring Survey will not continue after lockdown restrictions are lifted. For the health and safety of volunteers, we ask all SSRS Spring Survey participants to continue following government guidelines and refrain from traveling to feeder boxes while restrictions are in place.   What should I do with my Spring Survey kit? Stickies: those collected prior to the survey suspension may still prove useful for smaller scale localised insights. For collected stickies, please complete the data sheet up to the date of survey suspension to reflect this. Both used and unused stickies can be sent to SSRS in the return envelope that was included in your survey pack – but please wait until restrictions are lifted as your samples may be lost while some postal services are suspended. Bait: if possible please store bait in a sealed container in a cool, dry place until restrictions are lifted. If you are unable to store bait you are welcome to use it in your garden. Please be advised that we recommend cleaning garden feeders regularly for the health of all garden wildlife and to prevent the spread of squirrelpox. Additional equipment (e.g. camera traps): equipment and sti ...

  Professor Ronald J Roberts, Chairman of Bradan Biosecurity, discusses the importance of strong biosecurity protocols and how they can protect Scotland’s red squirrels from the threat of squirrelpox. He is a veterinary surgeon who has personally been involved in the development and testing of Virkon ®S, a broad-spectrum disinfectant, for the last 20 years. Virkon ®S is used across the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels project to reduce the risk of squirrelpox spread.   Biosecurity is big news at present due to our concerns about the new Coronavirus in humans. In Britain, another virus, spread between squirrel species has proven invariably lethal to its new host – the native red squirrel. Squirrelpox is a pox virus with many of the characteristics of the smallpox and chickenpox viruses, it is not classified directly within the Parapoxvirus group - it is an outlier. Carried by American grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) without effect, squirrelpox is commonly found in greys from Ontario down to the Carolinas of Eastern North America. It is not known when squirrelpox came to UK but it was first confirmed in East Anglia in the 1980's and has gradually moved northwards. Red squirrels, (Sciurus vulgaris) our native species, are under threat from loss of habitat and competition with the larger introduced grey squirrel. Now it has been found that when there is cross-infection with the pox virus from grey squirrel carriers, eradication of the reds can be ar ...

  Two suspected cases of squirrelpox are being investigated in the Auchencairn and Sandyhills regions of the Solway Coast in Dumfries and Galloway.   Following the retrieval of a sick red squirrel believed to be suffering from squirrelpox by the SSPCA from Auchencairn last week and the sighting of another red squirrel showing squirrelpox symptoms at Sandyhills this week, we are asking people living within these areas to be extra vigilant. Squirrelpox is a virus carried by grey squirrels without causing them any harm. However, if spread to red squirrels the disease is deadly. Red squirrels develop wet pus-filled lesions on their faces, particularly around the eyes, nose and mouth, as well as on their paws and genitalia. They become unwell and the lesions make it difficult to eat or drink, climb or walk, in almost all cases leading to death within two weeks. A sick red squirrel was retrieved by the SSPCA from Auchencairn © L. Read   If you live within the area and witness any sick red squirrels or grey squirrels in your garden, please immediately remove any wildlife feeding stations. We also ask that people across the Solway Coast please ensure that all garden feeding stations are regularly cleaned with an anti-viral solution such as Virkon S, which is available to purchase online in tablet and powder form. If you see a sick red squirrel, either in your garden, or while outdoors exercising, please contact squirrels@scottishwildlifetrust.org ...

  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. � ...