News: The Great Scottish Squirrel Survey returns in an important year for squirrel sightings

Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is calling on the public to take part in the nationwide Great Scottish Squirrel Survey between 20-26 September (National Red Squirrel Week). Now in its third year, the survey is needed more than ever due to the impact of Covid-19. Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) is a partnership project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, which… […]

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

…on a record-breaking turnout in 2020, last year’s 2021 Great Scottish Squirrel Survey saw 1549 squirrel sightings reported in just one week by nearly 1100 people across Scotland. Sightings help project staff to create a picture of the situation on the ground, and directly contribute to red squirrel conservation action. Since the end of the project’s spring surveys in 2020,… […]

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Great Scottish Squirrel Survey

…to our online sightings map. We anticipate that the data collected during the Great Scottish Squirrel Survey will be verified, collated and published by December 2023. View 2022 Great Scottish Squirrel Survey Results   Share your stories Share your Great Scottish Squirrel Survey photos and stories with us by using the hashtag #GreatScottishSquirrelSurvey. Don’t forget to follow us on twitter… […]

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All things invasive with the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative

…led by Scottish Natural Heritage and with many Fishery Boards and Trusts and the University of Aberdeen as partners. SISI is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Scottish Natural Heritage. To find out more, visit the project website at www.invasivespecies.scot where you can also sign up to the e-newsletter, follow on social media or contact us on sisi@nature.scot… […]

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Suspected squirrelpox cases on the Solway Coast

…are asking people living within these areas to be extra vigilant. Squirrelpox is a virus carried by grey squirrels without causing them any harm. However, if spread to red squirrels the disease is deadly. Red squirrels 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… […]

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A lucky escape!

…of bait out in the hope of a few squirrels or maybe even a marten. The very first thing to find the bait was a marten! Then by day there were heaps of squirrels. See this link for a cool video of what is known, technically speaking, as a scurry of squirrels. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rik6pGV0KlI All very nice, but imagine Gus’ surprise… […]

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Cycling for Squirrels

…motivating to have a purpose to the hard work and sore legs (Peat Inn is 200 metres above sea level – ooyah!) and if any SSRS supporters would like to push me on I have started a Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/Kensredsquirrelcycle where you can donate. If you do, I’ll dedicate a mile to you on my way to Edinburgh…. […]

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Spotting the elusive Scottish Red Squirrel

…head north to the coniferous forests of the Highlands where the reds still have a stronghold. You don’t actually need to go very far north, just enough to get away from the cities full of people and grey squirrels. Use our squirrel sightings map to see where you’re most likely to see red squirrels near you – https://scottishsquirrels.org.uk/squirrel-sightings/. You don’t… […]

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This Year's Sightings