…squirrels. A non-native invasive species, grey squirrels out-compete reds for food and living space and can also carry squirrelpox, a virus which doesn’t harm them but is fatal to red squirrels. Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) is a National Lottery-funded partnership project, led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, which is working in key areas across Scotland to reduce the spread… […]
…the impact, these squirrels usually carry on their lives unimpeded and keep appearing at feeders without obvious detriment. This picture, kindly donated by one of our observers in Alyth this spring, clearly shows the new summer coat growing in as a darker red and shorter hair starting to cover the naked area left by the loss of longer, denser and… […]
…like much, but locating and intercepting the very early grey squirrel colonisers is a difficult job – needles and haystacks being an apt analogy – and your reports enable us to narrow our search. Although the risk of grey squirrel presence in the area has been reduced, we of course do not know how many grey squirrels remain in Pitlochry,… […]
…linked to squirrel numbers, or squirrel distribution. What does the spring survey tell us? Each year between March and April, staff and volunteers monitor four feeder boxes placed within a 2km square called a ‘tetrad’. Hair samples are collected from the feeder boxes at two-week intervals, which are then analysed under a microscope to determine the species. This gives… […]
…volunteer activities At this time, all other voluntary activities will remain suspended until further notice. The Trust will review these suspensions as the government enters the next phase of the Route Map easing coronavirus restrictions. We will keep all our volunteers fully informed, and if you have any questions or concerns you can contact us at squirrels@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk or via your… […]
…Red Squirrels said: “We are deeply grateful to all volunteers and members of the public for submitting their sightings during the 2022 Great Scottish Squirrel Survey. Sightings of both species are vital as we work across the country, collaborating with partners and stakeholders to help save the iconic red squirrel from its main threat, the non-native grey squirrel. We strongly… […]
Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels has published the results of its 2018 annual survey, which indicate that while most of Scotland’s red squirrel populations remain stable, populations in southern Scotland remain under threat. Since 2011, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels has been monitoring squirrel populations in the parts of the country where red squirrels are most threatened by the spread… […]
…time. He said: “After a number of seasons of detecting greys only, it’s great to see the area’s red squirrels finally getting a look in. This year’s spring survey is going well so far, and as usual taking part makes a good walk in the outdoors even more enjoyable.” The 2019 Squirrel Survey report can be viewed at scottishsquirrels.org.uk/publications/ … […]
…as Stirling. With the cancellation of Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels’ outdoor spring surveys and volunteer activities during the Coronavirus lockdown, the only way to continue monitoring squirrel populations at this time is through public sightings reports. The more sightings reported, the better understanding the project can gain on areas of species overlap. Mary-Anne Collis, Conservation Officer for Argyll, the Trossachs… […]
