Reviewing the Scottish Strategy for Red Squirrel Conservation

…Scottish Squirrel Group have been tasked with drafting an ambitious 50-year vision for red squirrel conservation in Scotland. The revised Strategy will cover a 10-year timeline (2025 – 2035) informed by this vision, and will be developed using the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Guidelines for Species Conservation Planning, the gold standard for species conservation planning which… […]

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Southern Uplands Partnership Guest Blog: Funding Success for Red Squirrel Recovery Network

…the largest dedicated funder of the UK’s heritage, The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Over the next ten years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to bring… […]

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Partners & Funders

Our Partners & Funders Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust in partnership with NatureScot, Scottish Forestry, RSPB Scotland, Scottish Land & Estates, Forestry and Land Scotland, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, and Aberdeen City Council. The project is supported by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot, along with project… […]

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About Us

…Developing Community Action From April 2017 – March 2024 SSRS received funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver our ‘Developing Community Action’ phase. Alongside vital conservation work, the project focused on engaging with local communities and individuals, inspiring them to take action to protect red squirrels where they live. As a result, 17 dedicated and enthusiastic independent volunteer… […]

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Welcoming volunteers back into the field this Volunteers’ Week

…December volunteer announcement, grey squirrel control volunteers can continue their work in the field   We ask those looking to return to volunteering, to be proactive in monitoring changing Covid-19 guidelines in your local authority area, by regularly visiting https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/. Prior to commencing any new activities, a Covid-19 Risk Assessment will need to be reviewed. This can be accessed through… […]

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North East Volunteer Spotlight: Celebrating our volunteer Janice Drew as she moves on to pastures new!

…foot, by bike, and sometimes with her guide dog puppy in training, “Simon”. We are absolutely gutted to be saying goodbye to Janice as she moves to pastures new, but we know that she will continue to make a difference wherever she is. So, to Janice, thank you for more than two years volunteering for Aberdeen’s red squirrels, and farewell,… […]

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Seasonal Squirrels Part 1: Spring!

…in ‘mating chases’, where multiple males chase fertile females (only fertile for one day during their cycle) across the ground, around tree trunks, and through branches. It can be noisy, so keep your ears tuned for sounds of scrabbling claws, as well as chirping and calling! Nesting The exterior of breeding dreys resembles an untidy ball of sticks, however the… […]

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Trees for Life Guest Blog: Boosting red squirrel populations throughout the Highlands

…Ross Lochaline, Morvern Peninsula Plockton, Lochalsh, Wester Ross Reraig, Wester Ross Shieldaig, Wester Ross Spinningdale, Sutherland Highland release sites © Trees for Life Every spring and autumn, the Red Squirrel Reintroduction Project welcomes help from local volunteers to assist with baiting and translocations. Visit treesforlife.org.uk/about-us/red-squirrel-reintroduction-project to learn more about the project, and contact sarahw@treesforlife.org.uk to find out about local volunteer… […]

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News: Report details red squirrel conservation successes, with key recommendations for the iconic species’ long-term future in Scotland.

One year on from it’s five-year Developing Community Action project, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels detail key successes of red squirrel conservation work, and advise on essential actions needed to ensure long-term survival of the species in Scotland. The final report of the £2.46 + million funded project, titled Saving an icon: Final report from the Developing Community Action Phase of… […]

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Studying the life of the urban red squirrel

…is one of the remaining red squirrel strongholds in England. Working closely with the Lancashire Wildlife Trust and their Red Squirrel Project Officer, we carried out live-capture trapping to record population demographics (e.g. numbers of males/females, adults/juveniles, and breeding individuals), insert PIT tags (a type of microchip, similar to those used for pet cats and dogs, for identifying individuals), and… […]

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This Year's Sightings