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

…the ground. Why should you take part? Reporting a squirrel sighting is one of the simplest things that anyone can do to help protect Scotland’s red squirrels. Red Squirrel Week (2-8 October) is the ideal time for a nationwide squirrel survey. Autumn is a fantastic time of year for squirrel spotting— they are often more visible than usual as they… […]

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

project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, which is working in priority areas across Scotland to protect red squirrels from the spread of the non-native grey squirrel. This year, project partners are encouraging everyone in Scotland to go out and get squirrel spotting during Red Squirrel Awareness Week, and to add their sightings to the online map at scottishsquirrels.org.uk. Victoria… […]

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

project’s spring surveys in both 2020 and 2021. These annual systematic surveys, which used baited squirrel-hair sampling boxes at over 200 specific locations, provided robust distribution data for both red and grey squirrels that was invaluable for comparing the fortunes of squirrels from year-to-year. Project Manager Dr Mel Tonkin said: “Without the spring survey data, we need the help of… […]

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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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News: Get involved in Scotland’s fifth annual Great Scottish Squirrel Survey

…the survey, our third highest year since they began collecting public squirrel sightings in 2010. The highest year to date was in 2020 when 3000 sightings were recorded during the survey, and 22,772 were recorded overall. Programme Manager Nicole Still said: “Public sightings play an essential role in informing and directing our strategic efforts. Whilst we recognise 2020 was an… […]

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New Conservation Officer calls for the public to help protect red squirrels in the Scottish Borders

project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and made possible thanks to National Lottery players. Anyone can support the project by reporting their sightings of both red and grey squirrels at scottishsquirrels.org.uk. For those who want to take a more active role in the project, volunteer roles include carrying out surveys or helping to control grey squirrels in the project’s… […]

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Reviewing the Scottish Strategy for Red Squirrel Conservation

…Scottish Squirrel Group have been tasked with drafting an ambitious 50-year vision for red squirrel conservation in Scotland. The revised Strategy will cover a 10-year timeline (2025 – 2035) informed by this vision, and will be developed using the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Guidelines for Species Conservation Planning, the gold standard for species conservation planning which… […]

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Terms of Service

…pages on the SSRS website. Such links should not suggest that your website, organisation or services/products are endorsed by SSRS. Please advise us of any links you make to the SSRS website. 1.9 Email addresses on the SSRS website The presence of email addresses on the SSRS website does not infer consent to send unsolicited commercial email to those addresses…. […]

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This Year's Sightings