Suspected squirrelpox cases on the Solway Coast

…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… […]

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Spotting squirrelpox: new sightings across Dumfries and Galloway

…from their gardens to reduce the risk of contamination and spread of disease . Red squirrels fortunately have plenty of natural food sources in their environment at this time of year and will be able to support themselves without the help of feeders until the virus is under control. Don’ t worry, although red squirrels have a reputation for being… […]

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Coronavirus update for SSRS volunteers

  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:… […]

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News: Squirrelpox threatens red squirrels across Dumfries & Galloway’s Solway coast

…Conservation Officer for Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels said: “With support of local volunteers from the Solway Forests Red Squirrel Network, we have deployed emergency squirrelpox outbreak response measures. Grey squirrels are being removed from the area through live trapping and humane dispatch. We know that when grey squirrel numbers are kept low, red squirrel populations can recover following the devastation… […]

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Help the Solway Forests with your best red squirrel snaps

…are looking for atmospheric and engaging photographs of red squirrels, taken anywhere in Scotland, to include in their 2019 calendar. The winning photograph will be featured on the front cover of the calendar, and 11 others will be selected for each month of 2019. Started in August 2017, Solway Forests is one of the newest red squirrel volunteer networks to… […]

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Award for a Red Squirrel Champion

  The Scottish Wildlife Trust has awarded Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels volunteer Rob Asbridge the “Rusty Bog” Volunteer Award for all the hard work he has put into helping to protect the red squirrels in his area; including the construction of a community base and red squirrel hide for the local community to enjoy and value their local red squirrels…. […]

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Community action in Galloway

…can never be overlooked. The old-fashioned methods are all we’ve got until the magic bullet arrives— most likely in the form of a magic (albeit very expensive) molecule to effectively sterilise greys. Meanwhile there is definite evidence of pine martens in our area, so hopefully they will help us out a bit too. Peter AKA ‘Sandy the Squirrel’, inspiring the […]

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This Year's Sightings