Call for Scots to become a nation of squirrel spotters this Red Squirrel Week

…keep an eye on the forest floor where squirrels will be caching some of this food to see them through the colder winter months. Each sighting received is added to a national database, which not only helps conservationists to monitor changes in red and grey squirrel distribution over time, but also enables them to identify the best areas for targeting… […]

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Lovely dreich days in the west

…in the following months. Populations will show increases in reproduction in the years that follow good food crops. Following a set 1 kilometre transect line, I stop every 100 metres to assess what tree species are present and the amount of food available within the area. The transects have taken me through deciduous woodland with bramble thickets dominating the woodland… […]

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News: Record participation in national squirrel survey

…protect one of Scotland’s most charismatic yet threatened species. Records from the week help us to create a detailed snapshot of the situation on the ground and allow us to make informed conservation decisions based on distribution and population changes over time.”   Mapping of the records confirms that, despite the restrictions earlier in the year, the northern half of… […]

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Great Scottish Squirrel Survey

…not only improves our understanding of how squirrel populations are changing over time, it also helps our team take direct conservation action. Public sightings are more important than ever and play a key role in informing red squirrel conservation efforts. Each squirrel sighting reported during the Great Scottish Squirrel Survey will provide a detailed snapshot of the current situation on… […]

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

National Lottery-funded project understand how the distribution of each species is changing over time, and can also alert staff to situations where grey squirrels are posing an immediate threat to the local red population. The Great Scottish Squirrel Survey week will also feature a programme of online]}** and outdoor events across the country. More information can be found here.   […]

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Community Hub FAQs

…Officer or squirrels@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk if needed Can the Hub be used from a mobile? Yes, when connected to WiFi or data roaming, all the usual functionalities of the Hub work on a mobile, including viewing your sightings or reporting a new one, and inputting your data. Volunteer FAQs How do I sign up as a volunteer on the Hub? SSRS volunteers… […]

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A lucky escape!

…to see this- watch it right to the end! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZXZfnzXA4E This footage was caught just after 6am in early May. It clearly shows a tawny owl swoop in and land on the tree just above where the squirrel was. Amazing! Now what we don’t know is what the tawny owl was up to. It may well have been sizing up… […]

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All things invasive with the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative

…in on one of the pop-up stalls. Our programme of events can be viewed on our website at www.invasivespecies.scot/news-events We’ll be posting lots more information and facts this week about invasives species and what you can do to help, on our social media channels, so if you want to learn more follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.    … […]

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Suspected squirrelpox cases on the Solway Coast

…any wildlife feeding stations. We also ask that people across the Solway Coast please ensure that all garden feeding stations are regularly cleaned with an anti-viral solution such as Virkon S, which is available to purchase online]}** in tablet and powder form. If you see a sick red squirrel, either in your garden, or while outdoors exercising, please contact squirrels@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk. […]

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This Year's Sightings