New Conservation Officer calls for the public to help protect red squirrels in the Scottish Borders

  Laura Preston, the new Scottish Borders Conservation Officer for Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, is calling on locals to help the project by reporting sightings of both red and grey squirrels online.   Laura joins Community Engagement Officer Alexa Seagrave in the project’s new regional office near Newton St Boswells. They will be working with landowners and volunteers to protect… […]

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SSRS Knowledge Fair

…and beyond; and to look ahead to a future of working together to protect one of Scotland’s most iconic species. The online event will include a variety of talks, workshops and networking opportunities, as well as virtual exhibitions from some of our volunteers and partner organisations. Event access Click ‘reset password’ to set a password for the first time. You… […]

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Call for Scots to become a nation of squirrel spotters this Red Squirrel Week

where dedicated squirrel spotters can register and keep a personal record of their squirrel sightings. “The comprehensive mapping allows them to view their own squirrel conservation data as well as all of the project’s long-term data. It’s a great way for people to see how their efforts are contributing to changes over time. “It’s also a meeting point where volunteers… […]

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A red squirrel first for Luss Estate

…line, where the grey squirrels of the Central Belt meet Scotland’s core red squirrel populations in the Highlands. It’s therefore crucial that we prevent the greys from spreading any further north, and that their numbers are reduced to allow nearby red populations to recolonise the area. Our data shows that red squirrels completely disappeared from Loch Lomond’s western shore except… […]

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Reports of suspected squirrelpox near Cardrona

…area to please remove wildlife feeders from your gardens in order to avoid spreading the disease to healthy red squirrels visiting the feeders. Squirrelpox is a virus carried by grey squirrels without causing them any harm. However, if spread to red squirrels the disease is deadly. Feeding stations can encourage both species to come into close contact and increase the… […]

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Spotting the elusive Scottish Red Squirrel

…head north to the coniferous forests of the Highlands where the reds still have a stronghold. You don’t actually need to go very far north, just enough to get away from the cities full of people and grey squirrels. Use our squirrel sightings map to see where you’re most likely to see red squirrels near you – https://scottishsquirrels.org.uk/squirrel-sightings/. You don’t… […]

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See you in a few years…

…I am leaving this position to start training as a science/biology teacher, in order to have a greater influence on people’s love and understanding of the natural world. Those of you who read this probably don’t need to be encouraged to enjoy and learn about wildlife, but far too many adults don’t care about nature and don’t engage with it…. […]

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Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels

Get Involved Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is working with local communities to ensure red squirrels will always be a part of Scotland’s special native wildlife. Together with partners, landowners and a network of local groups and volunteers, we are focused on the areas where red squirrels are most under threat from the spread of the invasive grey squirrel. Our efforts… […]

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This Year's Sightings