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

…at scottishsquirrels.org.uk.” 2020’s Great Scottish Squirrel Survey was a record-breaking year, with 3160 squirrel sightings reported in just one week. Sightings help SSRS create a picture of the situation on the ground, and directly contribute to red squirrel conservation action. This year’s Great Scottish Squirrel Survey is all the more important because Covid-19 lockdown restrictions forced the cancellation of the… […]

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Get Involved

…keep a personal record of your squirrel sightings. Submit a squirrel sighting Make a donation Your donation could help fund: Standardised annual surveys to monitor red and grey squirrel populations across project areas Annual testing for the spread of the Squirrelpox virus through grey squirrel populations in Scotland A team of Red Squirrel Conservation Officers, Grey Squirrel Officers and a… […]

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News: Dumfries residents can help red squirrels by hosting a trap in their garden

…decades through volunteer action, supported by the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) project. Dr Stephanie Johnstone, SSRS Conservation Officer for South West Scotland said: “The Lower Nith Valley has seen a substantial increase in grey squirrels in the past few years, but recent action from SSRS staff, local landowners and volunteers has significantly reduced their numbers and red squirrels are… […]

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Volunteer to help red squirrels in 2018

…that an inter-connected, landscape-scale approach to red squirrel conservation is the only way we can ensure the future of our native species, and fortunately there are lots of people who agree with us. In south Scotland, we’re working closely with local community groups to ensure red squirrels are protected in the areas where they most need our help. You don’t… […]

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Tayside

…  Landowners Landowners in certain areas can control grey squirrels under Forestry Grant Scheme funding, or join the project’s trap-loan scheme. Woodland owners, meanwhile, can adjust the management of their woods to benefit red squirrels. Please contact your local SSRS or Scottish Forestry staff for more information.   Area Contact Susie McNaughton Conservation Officer smcnaughton@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk Peter Harrison Conservation Officer pharrison@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk… […]

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All things invasive with the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative

…adapted to their new environment, growing faster and out-competing our native species for space and food/nutrients. E.g. invasive plants out-compete our native wildflowers Predation; a predatory invasive species can have a significant effect on reducing the population of a native species. E.g. the significant impact on water voles by American mink predation Hybridisation; invasive species can interbreed with native species,… […]

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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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Community Hub FAQs

…the group map show sightings from the current year? Yes, your group’s map shows sightings from the current year (starting in January), and you can filter for the years with the dropdown above the map. On the other hand, the map on the public SSRS homepage shows national sightings from the previous 12 months. What does the map Layers button… […]

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Building a Volunteer Network

…advice. SSRS will be able to help, and your local Conservation Officer is a contact with lots of resources. Like it or loath it – social m edia has great powers in this modern age. Do consider this as a means of communication and if one of your members has the necessary skills a web site could prove useful, however… […]

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Join the community: introducing our new website

…depending on your location and interests.   Become an expert squirrel spotter Last year we received a record-breaking 5300 squirrel sightings on our website. Each sighting is added to a national database, helping us better understand squirrel distribution across Scotland. If you’re a dedicated squirrel spotter, you can now register with the Hub to keep a personal record of your… […]

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This Year's Sightings