…numbers from autumn to spring in each year. As the squirrels’ autumn/winter food supplies dwindle there are the demands of breeding: males searching far and wide for receptive females, and females fuelling pregnancy (from January) and lactation (from March). This is when they may really benefit from our generosity! The annual trough in numbers was deeper and earlier in 2019… […]
…greys from a stronghold increases as the habitat quality in the woodland within and surrounding the stronghold improves. Model predictions indicating the percentage chance of ‘seropositive’ (squirreplox carrying) greys squirrels in Scotland that would occur without grey squirrel control. Today the threat of squirrelpox outbreaks is still restricted to the south. Managing squirrelpox in South Scotland For the… […]
…among the canopy for the red squirrel (and pine martens!) to cross the road safely seems like a good one. But do our furry friends recognise and make use of them? A master’s student in 2008 investigated this on the west coast of Scotland on the Cowal peninsula. Using camera traps, hair-tube surveys and clay footprint pads he recorded the… […]
Original Author: Lorna Hutchison Most people seem to think that taking school children into the woods getting them to cook lunch on an open campfire, then giving them axes and knives is crazy. But not at Green Aspirations. Over the last few weeks of the summer holidays I joined the team at Green Aspirations and school pupils from all… […]
…which never materialises. Red squirrels, meanwhile are haring around, eating what they can, burying nuts, and scurrying in the direction of their dreys. Contrary to popular belief, squirrels do not hibernate. However they do spent less time in search of food, and more time sleeping. To provide warmth and protection from the elements during the coldest months, squirrels build winter… […]
…once again being seen on land where they had previously been rare or absent. “Red squirrels have always been a regular feature of the town of Dumfries and its surrounding areas, but they continue to be under threat. Grey squirrels are highly adapted to urban and suburban environments and have begun to colonise the town. If left unchecked Dumfries will… […]
…in Dumfries where they will be assessed and either treated or euthanised. “There are very few instances of red squirrels surviving the disease. Nonetheless, the South West Scotland Wildlife Hospital is on standby to receive any sick red squirrels into their isolation unit if a vet deems that they may have a chance of recovery.” Locals can help prevent further… […]
…monitoring work. The newly formed volunteer network is running additional monitoring in conjunction with the spring survey to get a closer idea of what’s going on in their area to the south and west of Hawick. Grey squirrels have been spreading down the river valleys towards Craik forest and the excellent population of red squirrels that live there. The new… […]
…and our initial response here. One of the infected red squirrels, photographed by Lisa Fuller Our first action was to remove any feeder boxes that had been installed in the woodland, to reduce inter-species and intra-species contact and therefore reduce the chances of the disease spreading further. We then set up live traps in the area with two aims. Firstly,… […]
…crucially, no grey squirrels. Sandy: Too true Steve too true. I hear there are a good few greys in Aberdeen, but that’s a long way from here and I hear there are fewer all the time. Fancy a wee break? Steve: Great plan Sandy. I’m not sure that cup cakes are all that good for red squirrels though. I’ll take… […]
