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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Squirrelpox: Staying ahead of the spread

…been taking blood samples from grey squirrels which are then tested for the presence of squirrelpox antibodies. A very small number of grey squirrels have tested positive for squirrelpox antibodies between 2013 and 2020 in the Central Lowlands, the most northerly of which was at Plean, near Bannockburn. It is unclear how the disease arrived here, as we have detected… […]

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Studying the life of the urban red squirrel

the global population are predicted to be living in urban areas by 2050, altering the natural environment and presenting new challenges for our wildlife species. Historically, urban areas have been ignored as suitable wildlife habitats. However, there is increasing evidence that these environments can have plentiful resources and support a wide range of biodiversity, so there has been a growing… […]

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North East Volunteer Spotlight: Celebrating our volunteer Janice Drew as she moves on to pastures new!

…  Emma: “The work that we do in the north east has evolved over the last 2-3 years, as we inch ever closer towards our goal of eradication of grey squirrels from Aberdeen. In the first 10+ years of the project we relied on a team of staff to carry out the majority of work on the ground, with volunteers… […]

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About Us

These potential solutions are promising for the future of red squirrel conservation in Scotland, and the project is following their developments closely. However, we simply can’t afford to wait in the hope that they will work. The story south of the border has shown us that red squirrels can be completely replaced within the space of a few years, especially… […]

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News: First death of red squirrel from squirrelpox virus confirmed north of Scotland’s Central Belt

…squirrelpox expansion both locally and further northward, although more investigative work is required to fully assess this risk. This case also highlights the key role members of the public have in wildlife conservation, as this case was detected from the submission of a dead red squirrel by a member of the public. If any members of the public come across… […]

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News: Over £1M in new funding awarded to aid red squirrel recovery in Scotland

Over £1m in new funding has been announced to aid red squirrel conservation efforts in key areas across Scotland for the next two years. A total grant of £1,052,796 has been awarded by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot, which supports the restoration of wildlife and habitats across the country. The new funds will support the Scottish… […]

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Partners & Funders

is responsible for the day-to-day management of the project. Visit website NatureScot NatureScot is the Scottish Government’s statutory advisor on the conservation, enhancement, enjoyment, understanding and sustainable use of our natural heritage. NatureScot has taken a leading role in red squirrel conservation since the species was first identified as a priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. NatureScot is […]

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News: ‘Booster’ project will protect Scotland’s red squirrels for another two years

them to become fully community-led. In the North East, the project has worked towards the removal of an isolated population of grey squirrels that was introduced to Aberdeen in the 1970s and spread to the surrounding countryside. Today, grey squirrels are largely limited to the centre of the city and eradication is considered achievable. In the Central Lowlands, grey squirrels… […]

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Southern Uplands Partnership Guest Blog: Funding Success for Red Squirrel Recovery Network

they may have on both reds and greys. During the delivery phase, the project will establish the governance for a community grant, provided by the RSRN, to local community groups in the delivery phase enabling them to undertake their own red squirrel conservation projects. Southern Uplands Partnership will be in touch with South Scotland groups and partners soon to confirm… […]

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This Year's Sightings