…The grey squirrel is an invasive species that was introduced to Britain from North America. They out-compete red squirrels for food and living space and some also carry squirrelpox, a virus that doesn’t harm grey squirrels but is deadly to reds. Grey squirrels were first introduced to Aberdeen in the 1970s, rapidly spreading throughout the city and into surrounding Aberdeenshire,… […]
…and beyond; and to look ahead to a future of working together to protect one of Scotland’s most iconic species. The online event will include a variety of talks, workshops and networking opportunities, as well as virtual exhibitions from some of our volunteers and partner organisations. Event access Click ‘reset password’ to set a password for the first time. You… […]
…wee red pals. I am a keen cyclist (I even cycled 300 miles along the banks of the Nile once) but haven’t had the opportunity to get out much this year. So, it’s training time and a chance to get out and about on the hills of Fife, where I live. It’s tough going to get started again but nice… […]
…risk of spreading disease. If sick red squirrels are present in an area, they can transmit the disease to other red squirrels via feeding stations. Squirrelpox causes red squirrels to 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 unwell and the lesions make it… […]
…absence, we’ve also had recent sightings in Dunblane and Doune. Stirlingshire is an important area for red squirrel conservation because it is on the boundary between Scotland’s core red squirrel populations in the Highlands and the populations of grey squirrels that are found across the Central Belt. Grey squirrels are a non-native invasive species that was introduced to Britain from… […]
…dreys. Unlike summer dreys, which are open platforms, similar in design to birds’ nests, winter dreys are broadly spherical and enclosed, but for a small entrance hole. They are constructed of interwoven twigs on the outside with softer furnishings of moss and dried leaves to give some home comforts on the inside. New dreys are usually built, and existing ones… […]
…main competition for red squirrels comes from the animal with the most similar diet: the invading grey squirrel. Before grey squirrels were introduced to Britain in the 19th Century, reds were able to live very successfully in almost any type of forest. Nowadays, however, they have had to adapt to become more specialist in their choice of habitat and diet…. […]
…in Dumfries & Galloway, the sightings map does not tell the full story. The region is home to a significant population of red squirrels, but numbers have fallen rapidly in recent decades, as non-native grey squirrels have moved into their territory. Grey squirrels out-compete red squirrels for food and shelter. They also carry squirrelpox, a virus that doesn’t harm them… […]
Original Author: Paul McDonald Paul McDonald (Project Officer for Argyll & the Trossachs), Lorna Hutchison and Samira Takla (SSRS Volunteers) spend Easter Sunday engaging visitors at The Lodge Visitor Centre, Aberfoyle. This Easter Sunday saw a magical transformation in at The Lodge Visitor Centre in Aberfoyle. The Forestry Commission Scotland and RSPB had organised a series of family… […]
Original Author: Muirhead Red Squirrel Sanctuary Project Officer for Tayside, Ken Neil, talks about the importance of the Muirhead Red Squirrel Sanctuary, on the outskirts of Dundee. Working closely with volunteers and neighbours, they protect the red squirrel by maintaining a relatively secure breeding area, providing sanctuary from predating domestic pets and controlling other animal and environmental threats where… […]
