News: Report details red squirrel conservation successes, with key recommendations for the iconic species’ long-term future in Scotland.

…squirrels – which account for around 75% of the total UK population. Red squirrels are a protected species, but for many years have experienced declines due to the invasive non-native grey squirrel introduced to Britain from North America in Victorian times. Grey squirrels out-compete reds for food and living space and have rapidly replaced native red squirrel populations across most… […]

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Simple tricks for telling your reds from your greys

…conservation. You can report your sightings on our website here: scottishsquirrels.org.uk/squirrel-sightings Happy squirrel spotting, and please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team with any queries or comments about the squirrels you see on your adventures! You can reach us at 0131 312 4719, via e-mail at squirrels@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk , or on social media – Facebook @SavingScotlandsRedSquirrels and X (formerly… […]

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Leaping into the future

…populations of the Highlands, Argyll, North-East Scotland, northern Tayside and Stirling. The programme will also deliver the required support and co-ordination to voluntary groups and individuals actively delivering vital long-term protection of red squirrels in key areas across the country. In this project phase we’ll also continue to carry out vital conservation work in key areas: In the North East,… […]

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Great Scottish Squirrel Survey

…and facebook for the latest Great Scottish Squirrel Survey news.   Get involved There are a variety of outdoor and online events happening throughout the Survey week, check out our events page for more details. If you are a member of a community group, wildlife organisation or visitor attraction in Scotland you could help us spread the word or even… […]

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

…the situation with both red and grey squirrels is changing. The Great Scottish Squirrel Survey allows us to compare data between years which is really helpful in understanding the impact our efforts are having over time and where more help is needed.” “Acting as a squirrel spotter while you are out and about and reporting a squirrel sighting is simple… […]

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Welcoming volunteers back into the field this Volunteers’ Week

…December volunteer announcement, grey squirrel control volunteers can continue their work in the field   We ask those looking to return to volunteering, to be proactive in monitoring changing Covid-19 guidelines in your local authority area, by regularly visiting https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/. Prior to commencing any new activities, a Covid-19 Risk Assessment will need to be reviewed. This can be accessed through… […]

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

…concerned about this latest news and are asking the local community in Dunfermline to take immediate action and protect red squirrels by taking in all garden and woodland wildlife feeders for the next month, as these can contribute to the spread of the disease from greys to reds and between reds once infected. We are also asking for everybody to… […]

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South Scotland

…grey squirrel control in key areas. Join a Local Group   Achievements to date Increase in grey squirrel control – Analysis of trapping results has shown an increase in grey squirrel detection, largely due to the increase in control activity across the region by volunteers and landowners, with volunteer cull contributions rising from 1.3% to 27% in the last four… […]

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Squirrelpox: Staying ahead of the spread

…red and grey squirrels in the event of a disease outbreak. We recommend an anti-viral solution such as Virkon-S. Squirrel sightings also have an important role to play in monitoring distribution changes over time and assessing areas where both red and grey squirrels come into close proximity. Sightings of both species can be reported through our website at https://scottishsquirrels.org.uk/squirrel-sightings/. And… […]

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Introducing the new Eastern Lowlands Red Squirrel Group

…squirrel monitoring effort to help improve baseline data and allow for targeted grey squirrel management Provide training for volunteers in grey squirrel management Ensure a reduction in grey squirrel sightings by targeted trapping activity – including a trap loan scheme Increase community awareness and interest in red squirrel conservation across the project area via social media, website, agricultural events/shows and… […]

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This Year's Sightings