…examination at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and electron microscopy at the Animal and Plant Health Agency, Weybridge. Squirrelpox is a virus carried by grey squirrels which does not affect them but can be rapidly lethal when passed to red squirrels. Symptoms include ulcers, scabs and weeping lesions on the face, paws and genitalia, all of which can… […]
…focus on the areas around Stirling. This is a region where reds and greys can often be seen in the same patches of woodland. Also, worryingly, greys have been seen to be travelling north west towards the National Park. As a result we are putting extra effort into monitoring the health of the local grey squirrels, keeping an eye out… […]
Since 2017 SSRS has helped establish 17 dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer Local Network Groups across the south of Scotland, providing them with training and support to control grey squirrels and monitor, promote and protect red squirrels where they live. As our latest 2022-24 SSRS Transition Phase comes to an end, all volunteer groups in the south of Scotland… […]
…we have identified ten Priority Areas for Red squirrel Conservation (PARCs), where previous grey squirrel control work has shown to have kept red squirrel numbers stable. Local communities are key to protecting the PARCs, and ensuring that red squirrels north of the central belt remain unthreatened by the squirrelpox virus. As part of our 2017-22 ‘Developing Community Action’ strategy, we… […]
…that an inter-connected, landscape-scale approach to red squirrel conservation is the only way we can ensure the future of our native species, and fortunately there are lots of people who agree with us. In south Scotland, we’re working closely with local community groups to ensure red squirrels are protected in the areas where they most need our help. You don’t… […]
…our work is having, it also helps us decide where to focus our efforts going forward. The survey takes place between March and April and is carried out in 2km squares of woodland called ‘tetrads’. Each tetrad contains four feeder boxes filled with bait — usually a mix of peanuts, sunflower seeds and whole maize. On the underside of the… […]
…sign that your local environment is providing for its native wildlife. So we were naturally concerned when we received reports that some of the red squirrels in Heathhall Forest, a popular community woodland outside Dumfries, were not looking well. The evidence we could gather all pointed to squirrelpox as the most likely cause. You can read more about the situation… […]
