Introducing the new Eastern Lowlands Red Squirrel Group

…Squirrel Group Project Area   The group is led by Hollie Sutherland (Project Coordinator and ex SSRS North East Scotland Project Officer) and Val Gall (Group Operations Officer). The pair have already started working in collaboration with the long running volunteer led Fife Red Squirrel Group and they hope to join and establish further networks of volunteers, volunteer groups and […]

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Hawick, Selkirk and Denholm Red Squirrel Network – One Year Later

…part of a new cross border project with the Red Squirrel Groups in Northumberland and Cumbria, subject to funding. Finally, and very happily, through local surveys red squirrels have been recorded in areas where they were previously unknown within our region. We shall continue to work to raise awareness and carry out red squirrel conservation activities to protect and encourage… […]

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Speaking up for Red Squirrels in the Consultation on Scotland’s Strategic Framework for Biodiversity

in Scotland The emphasis in the Framework on habitat connectivity is very positive, however connecting habitats will also enhance the ability of grey squirrels and other INNS to spread. Grey squirrel control and monitoring should be considered in the management planning for all of the landscape elements included in the Framework, i.e., Nature Networks, 30 by 30 protected areas, nature… […]

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News: Over £1M in new funding awarded to aid red squirrel recovery in Scotland

…Our hopes and aims for next phase are ambitious, but ones that we absolutely can realise with increased landscape-scale investment from partners, stakeholders, landowners, and local community involvement. We are incredibly grateful to everyone already involved in red squirrel conservation across the country and look forward to bringing more people and organisations onboard with this important and vital work.” Dr… […]

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News: First death of red squirrel from squirrelpox virus confirmed north of Scotland’s Central Belt

…of the invasive non-native grey squirrel which, along with carrying the squirrelpox virus, also outcompete red squirrels for food and habitat. Greys were first introduced to the UK from North America by the Victorians and have since displaced red squirrels in most of England and Wales, with more than 75% of the UK’s total remaining population residing in Scotland today. […]

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New faces and farewells

…Mearns, and extending this into North-east Angus, with the support of the North-east Team in Aberdeen, whilst also liaising closely with the team in Tayside. The Mearns & East Angus section of the highland line is a crucial location in both the defence of the Highland Line and ensuring that the risk of immigration into Aberdeen city’s island population of… […]

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Reviewing the Scottish Strategy for Red Squirrel Conservation

  What would the full recovery of Scotland’s red squirrel population look like? This is the question being tackled by the Scottish Squirrel Group, a multi-disciplinary group convened by NatureScot and made up of key Government agencies, land owners and managers, volunteer groups, researchers and academics, and environmental NGOs in order to revise the Scottish Strategy for Red Squirrel Conservation… […]

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North East Scotland

…has been working locally with Aberdeen City Council and wider project partners since 2009 to reduce grey squirrel density and distribution in the north east. Our work to date has been very successful, and we are now aiming to completely eradicate grey squirrels from the north east of Scotland. With the help of local volunteers, we are carrying out intensive… […]

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News: Get squirrel spotting during the Great Scottish Squirrel Survey next week!

…Chanin, Project Officer in South Scotland said: “Red Squirrel Week is great time to get outside for an autumnal walk. Engaging with nature in this way is very beneficial for people’s wellbeing and adding sightings of red and grey squirrels to our online map helps us to keep track of squirrel movements in Scotland.” During times of transition and uncertainty,… […]

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Leaping into the future

…populations of the Highlands, Argyll, North-East Scotland, northern Tayside and Stirling. The programme will also deliver the required support and co-ordination to voluntary groups and individuals actively delivering vital long-term protection of red squirrels in key areas across the country. In this project phase we’ll also continue to carry out vital conservation work in key areas: In the North East,… […]

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This Year's Sightings