…PARC ( ‘priority areas for red squirrel conservation’) boundaries in the South , groups can r esearch and apply for various funding opportunities . “ My start-up funds (ca. £600), used to print publicity materials and buy traps, hoppers and bait, came from residual funds held by Red Squirrels in South Scotland, a local charity (Murray-Usher Foundation) and my Community… […]
…outbreak. One way people can help is by reporting sick red squirrels and healthy greys to us when they are seen.” People across Scotland can support the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels project by reporting their sightings of both red and grey squirrels. Although squirrelpox is not considered harmful to humans, anyone who sees a sick red squirrel is advised not… […]
…sick red squirrel is advised not to approach it, but instead contact the project for advice. Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is a partnership project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and made possible thanks to National Lottery players and the Dumfries & Galloway LEADER 2014 – 2020 programme. For further information please contact Gill Hatcher, ghatcher@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk, 0131 3124717, 07388 994610…. […]
…summer in Scotland has elapsed, we have well and truly landed into a decidedly mixed autumn, which is looking likely to be replaced by another mild winter. This is certainly positive news, in the short term at least, for our squirrel populations, especially when coupled with an exceptional mast year. A mast year is when, for reasons still not fully… […]
…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… […]
…is advised not to approach it, but instead contact the project for advice as soon as possible . Dead reds can be sent for post-mortem but ne ed to be handled carefully – please read the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels post-morten guide for more information at https://scottishsquirrels.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Red-squirrel-post-morte ms.pdf . To find out more about the squirrelpox virus, please visit the… […]
…prevention of squirrelpox spread, usually in tablet form. It is not suitable for use indoors, and is not safe for humans. It is classified as an irritant and should always be handled following the correct safety precautions, and only used for its intended purpose. Please familiarise yourself with the Virkon-S health and safety guidelines and risk assessment (provided in your… […]
…by the presence of greys). By targeting efforts to the grey squirrels’ preferred woodland, we can create reservoirs of high quality habitat for red squirrels to reoccupy. This creates breeding populations of the native species as a source for recolonising conifer forests, should the populations there chance to come under pressure owing to seed-crop failure. In better conifer-seed years, red… […]
…recent years. We need the public to help us by continuing to report sightings. “Without targeted action, these squirrels could continue to spread north, and become established in Kincardineshire and beyond. That could begin to undo the hard-won successes we’ve achieved in the in the last ten years.” Reporting sightings of both native and non-native grey squirrels at scottishsquirrels.org.uk is… […]
…red squirrel’s future in Scotland. Larger and more robust, they not only compete more successfully than the reds for food and resources, they may also carry squirrelpox virus, which causes a disease that is fatal to red squirrels. Stirlingshire is fortunate to have areas of pristine red squirrel populations that have never seen grey squirrels. These areas are predominantly found… […]
