…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… […]
…colouring in? Download the printable PDF: DOWNLOAD Play with pattern Use colour to bring this red squirrel to life! Download the printable PDF: DOWNLOAD Sightings Seen a squirrel? We want to hear about it! All sightings are valuable, whether they’re from your back garden or the wider countryside. Report a sighting Become a super squirrel spotter! Download our kids… […]
…need to walk for hours into the depths of the largest forest ever, but do try to find a more secluded part of the forest, somewhere with fewer dog walkers and cyclists and horseback riders, just get that little bit further away from people in general. Once you find somewhere that’s a little off the beaten track, you’ll increase your… […]
…diluting the native gene pools. E.g. non-native Sika deer are interbreeding with our native Red deer. Habitat alteration; invasive species can alter invaded habitats. E.g. where Himalayan balsam forms dense stands on river banks, these die back in the winter leaving bare soil which is prone to erosion, which can contribute to flooding problems. Spread of disease; invasive species can… […]
…efforts to remove the threat. It has been observed throughout the UK that when grey squirrels move into an area, the local red squirrel population is gradually replaced due to competition for resources such as food and living space. Although grey squirrels occur in Dunkeld, this is generally the northern limit of their range in Perthshire. Sightings of greys… […]
The grey squirrel is one of the country’s most widely recognised animals, but not everyone knows that it is a non-native species. As 23 – 29 March is ‘Invasive Species Week’, we reflect on the progress that’s been made in managing and preventing the negative impact of grey squirrels on their native counterparts in Scotland. Invasive Species Week is… […]
…volunteer here. If you are new to volunteering, a member of staff will be in touch to discuss what opportunities are available. If you are already a SSRS volunteer, we’ll match you with our existing records then send you an invite to join the appropriate volunteer group on the Hub. Join a red squirrel network One of the project’s… […]
Ground-breaking research which aims to better understand how grey squirrels use the urban environment will take place in Aberdeen this year. The study is led by Dr Louise de Raad, Research Fellow at Inverness College UHI, part of the University of the Highlands and Islands, in collaboration with the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels project. Little… […]
…unusual year with an increase in people spending time in the Scottish outdoors, we would love the public to once again head outside and help us increase our sightings to improve our understanding of Scotland’s squirrel populations”. Conservation Officer for Tayside Susie McNaughton said: “With ample nature food sources available and leaves falling, autumn is an ideal time to spot… […]
…We very much look forward to continuing the important work to secure the future of red squirrels in Scotland.” Grey squirrels continue to pose the greatest threat to red squirrels in Scotland. An invasive species that was introduced to Britain from North America in Victorian times, grey squirrels out-compete reds for food and living space and have rapidly replaced native… […]
