Stormy weather has hit Scotland hard in recent weeks, causing severe hardship to many and devastation to some of our native and commercial woodlands. While the safety of our staff and volunteers is always our top priority, it’s not surprising that many people have been in touch with us to ask “how are the red squirrels coping?” Some… […]
Original Author: Gill Hatcher Did you ever pick up pinecones when you were little? Maybe you still do! Here at Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels we’re always keeping one eye to the ground, because even when red squirrels are being elusive, they might be leaving clues behind. Red squirrels have surprisingly varied diets. They love nuts, but they also eat… […]
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… […]
It’s a really exciting time to be working for Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels. Earlier this year we announced that the Scottish Wildlife Trust has been awarded a grant of £2.46 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), for a new phase in the project called ‘Developing Community Action’. Thanks to support from HLF and the Scottish LEADER programme, this five-year… […]
We want to help you get the most out of your Great Scottish Squirrel Survey week and give you the best opportunity possible to see our furry friends out in the wild. Our SSRS Conservation Officers from across the country have come up with a guide of subtle signs, memorable marks and helpful hints to assist you on… […]
Original Author: Matt Nuttall This week we are sadly saying goodbye to Matt Nuttall, our Conservation Officer for north east Scotland. Over the past year Matt has worked tirelessly in his mission to see red squirrels return to Aberdeen, with the help of Grey Squirrel Officers and a dedicated network of volunteers. Matt reflects on his time with… […]
The first recorded red squirrel in Plean near Stirling in many years was spotted in the most unlikely of places – a local resident’s living room. William Higgins was surprised to find the animal frantically scrambling around his home last month. He said: “I was in the kitchen when I thought I heard the post being delivered. When… […]
Monitoring Officer Nina Schönberg explains how we use camera traps to survey squirrels in Aberdeenshire, often with entertaining results! On top of our regular hair sample-based surveys, in the North East we also run a camera-trapping survey in specially selected woodlands. Camera Traps (or Trail Cameras) are designed to detect movement and changes in temperature (i.e. body heat)… […]
In December over 100 SSRS volunteers, landowners and other supporters joined us online to celebrate the end of the project’s ‘Developing Community Action‘ phase. The two-day Knowledge Fair featured presentations and panel discussions on all that the project has achieved over the past five years. It was also an opportunity to learn more about the red squirrel conservation work… […]
If you are volunteering your time to help with grey squirrel control in your local patch, you might feel like your efforts are a drop in the ocean. But stay connected with the project and you’ll see the difference we can make when we all work together. The greatest threat to the red squirrel’s future in Scotland is… […]
