Celebrating a red squirrel champion

  Dr Peter Garson, Chair of the Gatehouse Squirrel Group, has been recognised as this year’s Species Champion in the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Trustees’ Awards for Volunteering. Giuliana Sinclair, Community Engagement Officer for South West Scotland discusses how this award not only celebrates Peter’s immense dedication and drive but also stands as an inspiration to volunteers and communities across Scotland… […]

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Reviewing the Scottish Strategy for Red Squirrel Conservation

…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… […]

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See you in a few years…

…colleagues and working in one of the most accessible scenic areas in Scotland: Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park (www.lochlomond-trossachs.org). Along with all of my red squirrel friends (and grey squirrel “enemies”…), I have seen an amazing variety of wildlife, including: otters, pine marten, red deer, roe deer, goosanders, ravens, and even a slow worm in this poor summer…. […]

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Community action in Galloway

…progress to date has been made easier through the support of Gatehouse Development Initiative and Cream o’Galloway. We have also received small grants from Red Squirrels in South Scotland, the Murray-Usher Foundation and Gatehouse Community Council (Common Good Fund). Whilst we are grateful for this help, our main asset is the enthusiasm and commitment of our growing force of volunteers…. […]

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SNOW DAY!

…I had a blast! I think that an activity like this could even, potentially, work with children. Get out and make one, yourselves, the next time that there’s a big dump of snow! Please post any pictures of your snow squirrels (or their woodland friends) on our Facebook page, after you “like” it: https://www.facebook.com/SavingScotlandsRedSquirrels While you’re out there, keep an… […]

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Cycling for Squirrels

…motivating to have a purpose to the hard work and sore legs (Peat Inn is 200 metres above sea level – ooyah!) and if any SSRS supporters would like to push me on I have started a Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/Kensredsquirrelcycle where you can donate. If you do, I’ll dedicate a mile to you on my way to Edinburgh…. […]

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

…on a record-breaking turnout in 2020, last year’s 2021 Great Scottish Squirrel Survey saw 1549 squirrel sightings reported in just one week by nearly 1100 people across Scotland. Sightings help project staff to create a picture of the situation on the ground, and directly contribute to red squirrel conservation action. Since the end of the project’s spring surveys in 2020,… […]

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News: The Great Scottish Squirrel Survey returns in an important year for squirrel sightings

…at scottishsquirrels.org.uk.” 2020’s Great Scottish Squirrel Survey was a record-breaking year, with 3160 squirrel sightings reported in just one week. Sightings help SSRS create a picture of the situation on the ground, and directly contribute to red squirrel conservation action. This year’s Great Scottish Squirrel Survey is all the more important because Covid-19 lockdown restrictions forced the cancellation of the… […]

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Community Hub FAQs

…(Scottish Wildlife Trust registered) – Central Lowlands and North East Go to www.scottishsquirrels.org.uk Click the Hub Login box, then click Register Once registered, login with your details Join the SSRS volunteering group (following the steps in this video, especially at the beginning and at minute 01:58). A member of the team will be in touch and/or send you an invite… […]

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Great Scottish Squirrel Survey

…the situation. What makes the Great Scottish Squirrel Survey so great is that anyone can take part from anywhere in Scotland. Areas of known squirrel territory are equally important as those where few squirrels have been seen before. You can view all our previous sightings records here. Last year over 650 people reported 790 squirrel sightings in just one week…. […]

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This Year's Sightings