…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… […]
…highly invasive grey squirrel could also spread further into the Grampians and the Highlands, threatening Scotland’s largest populations of red squirrels. Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is encouraging people to report sightings of both red and grey squirrels online. The project is also looking for volunteers in the area to support its vital conservation work. Sarah Woodfin, Monitoring Officer, North East… […]
…bigger question is, if these extreme weather events become more and more common, will they begin to have a serious impact on red squirrel populations? Our lead project partner the Scottish Wildlife Trust is calling on the Scottish Government to urgently scale up action to tackle the nature and climate crises together. Add your voice by signing the petition here…. […]
Squirrelpox has posed a threat to native red squirrels in southern Scotland since the mid 2000s, and whilst targeted grey squirrel control efforts have been proven to slow the spread of the virus, they cannot prevent its spread – it is therefore important to be vigilant, informed and well prepared. Today we’re taking a look at how monitoring efforts… […]
…looked after our administrative needs beautifully in that time and we wish him well in his next adventure. Katie, meanwhile has been off on her own adventures taking part in Osprey Watch at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s reserve Loch of the Lowes near Dunkeld. Here Katie joined a dedicated team of staff and volunteers monitoring and protecting ospreys on the… […]
…grey squirrel trapping? At this time, halting further spread of grey squirrels in strategically targeted areas is the only viable option to fully protect the strong red squirrel populations we still have across Scotland. Trapping or shooting* are the only available means of doing this in Scotland. The SSRS project utilises live cage-trapping according to best practice guidelines, and then… […]
…schemes, such as Saving Red Squirrels, which are designed to protect natural habitats and wildlife. We’re very grateful to the Moffat & District Red Squirrel Group for their support.” Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is a National Lottery-funded partnership project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. The project is supporting groups of local volunteers across the south of Scotland who will… […]
…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… […]
Network groups across South Scotland priority areas are ensuring the long-term survival of native red squirrels through community action. In our project’s priority areas, some of these groups are already beginning to see red squirrel populations bounce back. Red squirrel gro ups have been invaluable in collective conservation efforts to date in South Scotland and are led by… […]
…Mothers in good body condition produce heavier kits, which are subsequently more likely to survive their first year. Gestation lasts 5-6 weeks, after which time around 3-4 kits are born, although litters of up to six are possible. The blind, hairless kits, weighing 10-15g, are entirely dependent on maternal care while they are in the nest and until they are… […]
