Coronavirus: all SSRS outdoor volunteer work suspended

…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… […]

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To feed or not to feed?

…some hawthorn, blackthorn, holly, cherry, raspberry, crab apple and yew. All small-seeded broadleafed trees will provide buds and flowers in spring for squirrels as well as giving a home to lots of other wildlife and insects. If you have squirrels visiting your bird feeders, it is vitally important to regularly clean and disinfect them. This is especially important if you… […]

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Join the Hub

Join the Hub Community action is the key to the long-term survival of Scotland’s red squirrels. The Hub is a space for our supporters and volunteers to keep up to date with the project and connect with like-minded people working to protect local red squirrel populations. Registered users can keep track of their squirrel sightings, and join a local red… […]

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Reviewing the Scottish Strategy for Red Squirrel Conservation

…Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) now moving into a new phase, the project is being restructured and partners are working on developing more sustainable, long-term solutions to deliver key actions for red squirrel conservation. The revision of the current Scottish Strategy is a hugely important step in steering effective conservation action for red squirrel over the coming years, and the… […]

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Red squirrels and biosecurity

…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… […]

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Knowledge Fair – celebrating five years of community action

…1: Welcome to Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels PROJECT FILM – The People Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels The SSRS-Developing Community Action story – Dr Mel Tonkin, Project Manager SSRS in the North East – Dr Emma Sheehy, Conservation Officer SSRS in Argyll, the Trossachs & Stirlingshire – Mary-Anne Collis, Conservation Officer SSRS in Tayside – Ann-Marie MacMaster, Conservation Officer SSRS in… […]

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News: Red letter day – Plean’s first red squirrel entered home through letterbox

…reds to recolonise. Mr Higgins added: “I’m just so happy to see a red squirrel in this area. I can’t say for sure how he got into my house, but only way I can think of is through the letter box.” People can report sightings of both red and grey squirrels on the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels website, scottishsquirrels.org.uk. The… […]

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North East towns at the forefront of efforts to save Scotland’s red squirrels

…The grey squirrel is an invasive species that was introduced to Britain from North America. They out-compete red squirrels for food and living space and some also carry squirrelpox, a virus that doesn’t harm grey squirrels but is deadly to reds. Grey squirrels were first introduced to Aberdeen in the 1970s, rapidly spreading throughout the city and into surrounding Aberdeenshire,… […]

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An Autumn Overview of Tree ID

…of habitat the squirrel was spotted in. Having a basic knowledge of tree identification comes in helpful here and sharing this allows us to investigate which habitats squirrels appear to be thriving in. Spotting the difference between a coniferous and deciduous tree in autumn is simple. Deciduous trees with broad leaves, change colour and often lose their leaves at this… […]

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

…Reserve said: “We have a real opportunity to turn the tide and help conserve our red squirrels, but this is only possible with everyone’s involvement. There is a big task ahead of us and I am looking forward to working alongside the rest of the team in helping the red squirrel thrive in the Scottish Borders.” SSRS is a partnership… […]

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This Year's Sightings