Faces Old and New at Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels

…co-ordinating the annual Great Scottish Squirrel Survey, and managing our social media pages. Her favourite red squirrel fact is that baby red squirrels are called kits! Contact: kberry @scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk   Haz el Forrest: Species Advocacy Officer Hazel started working with SSRS as our Species Advocacy Officer in August 2022. She has a background in ecological consultancy, specialising in bat surveying…. […]

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News: Public squirrel sightings soar in 2023

…public to spot and record all grey and red squirrels, a total of 1334 people took part, reporting just under 2000 red and grey squirrel sightings across the country, almost 2.5 times as many as were reporting during the 2022 survey. These sightings provide invaluable data for conservationists and scientists working on the ground to protect the endangered native red… […]

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Speaking up for Red Squirrels in the Consultation on Scotland’s Strategic Framework for Biodiversity

…and thoughts and answer any additional questions as you see fit:   Dear Minister Slater, I am writing in response to your consultation, Tackling the Nature Emergency – Strategic Framework for Biodiversity. Here are some of my views: My general comment: [INSER T GENERAL COMMENT] My con sultation answers: [INSERT SELECTED QUESTIONS WITH YOUR ANSWERS BELOW] I am responding as… […]

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Fed Up With Feederboxes? No Way!

Original Author: Lorna Hutchison Lorna Hutchison, Volunteer Project Assistant for Argyll and the Trossachs, tells us about her role in this season’s squirrel monitoring.   My role as a volunteer for SSRS is pretty varied. One of the tasks involves me taking four kilograms of peanuts to Glengoyne and Loch Lubnaig once every two weeks and distributing them amongst eight… […]

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Celebrating a red squirrel champion

…to raise awareness of the plight of the red squirrel and inspire others to take action in and around Gatehouse through social media and public engagement. Over 20 households undertake monthly garden counts, which encourage people to take a close look and enjoy their visitors on a daily basis. This is a simple citizen science project which allows the group… […]

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An update on the Heathhall squirrelpox outbreak

…always have a home in Dumfries and Galloway.   Things you can do to help protect red squirrels Do not install feeder boxes in public forests Clean your garden wildlife feeders regularly with an anti-viral solution such as Virkon S Report any grey squirrel sightings at scottishsquirrels.org.uk If you see a red squirrel that looks unwell, contact us at squirrels@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk… […]

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Cosy hideouts

…dreys. Unlike summer dreys, which are open platforms, similar in design to birds’ nests, winter dreys are broadly spherical and enclosed, but for a small entrance hole. They are constructed of interwoven twigs on the outside with softer furnishings of moss and dried leaves to give some home comforts on the inside. New dreys are usually built, and existing ones… […]

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Ministerial approval for red squirrels

…Paul Wheelhouse MSP, to Southesk Estate in Angus to see the vital work undertaken by Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS). During his visit, Mr. Wheelhouse had an opportunity to inspect squirrel traps in the area and discuss the most recent developments with Project Manager Dr Mel Tonkin. The meeting also provided an opportunity to showcase the project and demonstrate how… […]

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Three creative ways to go squirrel spotting this Red Squirrel Week

…the greatest things about the Great Scottish Squirrel Survey is that anyone can take part, from absolutely anywhere in Scotland. Be it from your back garden, your local park or the wider countryside, we want to hear all about what you’ve seen between 21-27 September. Here are a few fun activities for the whole family to join in with and… […]

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The Adventures of Sandy the Squirrel

…what you up to today? Sandy: I’m here in sunny Moray to help you guys at Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels raise awareness about the project and meet as many folk as I can! We red squirrels appreciate your efforts. Steve: Thanks for the help Sandy, you’re always popular. Moray’s a great place for red squirrels- loads of conifer woodland and,… […]

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This Year's Sightings