…Aberdeenshire. Red squirrels have begun to recolonise many areas, including the outskirts of Aberdeen. The red squirrel was spotted by Gina Ganzenmueller Dr Gwen Maggs, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Conservation Officer for North East Scotland said: “The project has been working along the River Dee for ten years, with help from dedicated volunteers participating in our trap-loan scheme. “As… […]
Original Author: Ken Neil Tayside PO PO Ken Neil is getting on his bike to cycle fifty miles from Glasgow to Edinburgh and raise funds for the project. You can cheer him on by making a donation. Cycling for squirrels – not a handbook for greys to help them get “on their bikes” but your friendly Tayside project officer… […]
By Rebecca Witt Earlier this year, student and wildlife photographer Rebecca Witt spent some time with Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels as part of her mission to capture Britain’s red squirrel conservation movement on camera. Hello! My name is Rebecca and I had the pleasure of working with Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) for my final year university… […]
…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… […]
…of non-native grey squirrels. Grey squirrels, which were introduced to Britain from North America in the 19th Century, out-compete red squirrels for resources, and can also carry squirrelpox, a virus that doesn’t harm them but is deadly to reds. Previous survey results have indicated that red squirrel populations in the project’s focal areas had stabilised, a sign that with continued… […]
Dr Jenny Bryce, Scottish Natural Heritage Wildlife Ecologist, discusses how evidence is shaping conservation strategy; reflecting on invasives insights upon the publication of a paper co-written by Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels’ Dr Mel Tonkin. In July 2017 Mel Tonkin, SSRS Project Manager, presented a paper at the IUCN Island Invasives conference held in Dundee. This was the third… […]
…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… […]
…squirrels. Grey squirrels, on the other hand, originate from the broadleaf woodlands of North America and therefore have a stronger preference for this kind of habitat. This partly explains why the red squirrels of north Scotland haven’t been replaced as rapidly as those in the central belt and the south. Abernethy Forest © Nick Forwood However, red squirrels can also… […]
…under continuous threat from grey squirrels moving increasingly northwards. As well as out-competing reds for resources, some grey squirrels in the central belt are known to carry squirrelpox, a virus that doesn’t harm them but is deadly to red squirrels. This is why the National Park has included red squirrels in its ‘Wild Park 2020’ challenge, and is working with… […]