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

…achieved. Central Lowlands: a professional team must continue efforts to control grey squirrels long-term across the Highland Line Control Zone to protect the red-only squirrel population of Scotland’s Highlands. Dumfries & Galloway and the Borders: grey squirrels should be controlled by volunteer groups covering the Priority Areas for Red Squirrel Conservation (PARCS) supported by staff and grey squirrel control professionals… […]

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A lucky escape!

Original Author: Steve Willis   Sometimes trail cameras pick up some pretty unusual animal behaviour…   The SSRS team use trail cameras for much of our survey work. As these amazing devices have come down in price their popularity has risen and risen. And for good reason too – they are unobtrusive ways to observe your local wildlife. Even setting… […]

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All things invasive with the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative

…because they thrive in the new environment into which they’ve been introduced and, in doing so, impact on and disrupt the delicate balance of that natural ecosystem. Their impacts can be large and obvious, like the presence of a stand of Japanese knotweed, or subtle like the reduction in invertebrate biodiversity in a river when the banks are dominated by… […]

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Community Hub FAQs

…provide more detailed help: Sign up videos Hub user guide Grey control – you need to have been invited to this group by SSRS staff Survey – you need to have been invited to this group by SSRS staff Further resources If you still have problems, contact squirrels@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk or your Hub Admin if you are part of a Volunteer Network…. […]

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Faces Old and New at Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels

…McKillop. His main focus is on grey squirrel control and red squirrel monitoring whilst also spending time assisting our remaining supported volunteer networks to help progress red squirrel conservation activities in the region. Contact: ahodgkinson@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk     Steve Mc Killop: Project Officer for South East Scotland Ste ve’s or iginal b a ckground is teaching at FE level, where he… […]

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

…restoration areas, National Parks and National Nature Reserves Consideration should also be given to connectivity of optimal red squirrel habitat by including a sufficient proportion of native conifers in native woodland planting plans to support red squirrel populations, particularly in red squirrel priority areas. (c) Keilidh Ewan Below is a selection of questions from the consultation that I feel are… […]

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Squirrel Sightings: an inside look

…a recent report of a grey squirrel seen near Loch Katrine was worrying and surprising, as it has been a stronghold for red squirrels for many years, and is some distance from the nearest grey squirrel population. Swift action ensured that the squirrel was captured, and since then local people have kept a sharp eye out to make sure there… […]

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This Year's Sightings