New Frontiers for Volunteers

…their red squirrels are relatively common and healthy compared to ours. They aren’t battling a larger competitor, nor the diseases brought by them, like our red squirrels are. Squirrel pox is a horrible, debilitating disease that kills the red squirrels that is carried by (some) grey squirrels which seem to be immune to the disease. If we could reduce the… […]

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An Autumn Overview of Tree ID

…keep an eye out for any buds on trees – this could be a sign that a squirrel (or other animal) has beat you to the fruit first. Additional useful links If you just can’t learn enough about Britain’s native and non-native trees, you can find out more information by following the links below. Happy tree ID-ing everyone! https://forestryandland.gov.scot/learn/trees https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/… […]

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Spotting the elusive Scottish Red Squirrel

…need to walk for hours into the depths of the largest forest ever, but do try to find a more secluded part of the forest, somewhere with fewer dog walkers and cyclists and horseback riders, just get that little bit further away from people in general. Once you find somewhere that’s a little off the beaten track, you’ll increase your… […]

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Major boost for Scotland’s red squirrels thanks to National Lottery funding

…red squirrels.Scotland is home to just 120,000 red squirrels, three quarters of the UK population. The main threat to native squirrels comes from competition with invasive non-native grey squirrels and the spread of the deadly squirrelpox virus.   Dr Mel Tonkin, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Project Manager said: “Our work since 2009 shows that through targeted control of grey squirrels… […]

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Game-changing grant awarded to South Scotland volunteers

…sustain their surveying and monitoring efforts well into the future.   Find out more about the Red Squirrel Survival Trust, the Red Squirrel Forum for South Scotland and what this grant means for conservation within the area at https://www.rsst.org.uk/blog/2020/9/16/scottish-borders-groups-bank-national-funding . Or visit the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Network Directory to find out more about red squirrel volunteer groups near you…. […]

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Images of Saving Britain’s Native Squirrel

…project about red squirrel conservation in the UK. Throughout the last year, I have travelled across the UK to photograph and document the various ways we help red squirrel populations, and the people that are behind these important projects and initiatives. Thanks to SSRS, I had the opportunity to learn more about their Spring Survey. The survey is completed every… […]

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A red squirrel first for Luss Estate

for a small enclave at Tarbet, while grey squirrels have been well established in the Luss area for over a century. Thanks to the efforts of Luss Estate, other private landowners and Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels project staff and volunteers along the western shore, it looks like the tide is beginning to turn. Now that one red squirrel has been… […]

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Argaty Red Kites celebrate their other star species with a new red squirrel hide

…and wildlife. It’s also a reminder of just how important it is that we continue to protect red squirrels in the area from more grey squirrel arrivals in the future. The Woodland Hide will be available only by pre-booking. For more information, please visit the Argaty Red Kite project website www.argatyredkites.co.uk or telephone 01786 841373. The Project will also very… […]

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Coronavirus: all SSRS outdoor volunteer work suspended

…as soon as possible (with a 10 figure grid reference for each trap or a detailed location description). Where traps are currently set, our staff will endeavour to secure them shut if at all possible. This was not an easy decision to make. Together we have made great strides in recent years, and we are fully aware that this could… […]

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This Year's Sightings