One small step for Perthshire’s reds

…moments to complete. This small success with potentially far-reaching protective significance would not have been possible without the support of the local community. So on behalf of the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Tayside Team, we would like to thank everyone who has been our eyes and ears on the ground. Together, we can protect Perthshire’s red squirrels for the future…. […]

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News: Over £1M in new funding awarded to aid red squirrel recovery in Scotland

…more than ever, we need nature-based solutions to the climate-nature crises. It’s projects like this that can really help to stop biodiversity loss and enable us to move towards a nature-rich, net-zero future for everyone in Scotland.” Additionally, separate limited funding from SSRS partners NatureScot and Forestry and Land Scotland has been secured to continue professional grey squirrel control in… […]

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News: Suspected squirrelpox outbreak near Lockerbie threatens local red squirrel population

…dead red squirrel carcasses found to the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies for post-mortem analysis.” People can report their sightings of both red and grey squirrels at scottishsquirrels.org.uk. Details for how to post carcasses to the Vet School and how to effectively clean feeders can also be found on the site. Although Squirrelpox is not considered harmful to humans,… […]

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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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Squirrel Sightings: an inside look

…thousands of sightings that come in throughout GSSS week, and we are fortunate to have volunteers able to verify sightings in their areas to help with the task. Some sightings require action, especially grey sightings, as this is useful information for our grey squirrel control officers and volunteers as to where to focus their efforts. Most red sightings can be… […]

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News: Help stop the spread of grey squirrels in the Mearns

…through competition for resources. Most worryingly they could also potentially bring the deadly squirrelpox virus, which isn’t currently present in Aberdeenshire, with them. This virus doesn’t harm grey squirrels but it is deadly for reds. It would be devastating for Scotland’s squirrels if squirrelpox is allowed to spread into the north of the country. “There are a number of ways… […]

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News: ‘Booster’ project will protect Scotland’s red squirrels for another two years

…and squirrelpox is a major threat. The aim is to upskill these volunteers to enable them to continue red squirrel conservation work after the project comes to an end. Today there are 18 volunteer groups operating successfully across the region. Whilst some groups are ready to proceed with little further support from the project, others require further support to enable… […]

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

…project’s spring surveys in both 2020 and 2021. These annual systematic surveys, which used baited squirrel-hair sampling boxes at over 200 specific locations, provided robust distribution data for both red and grey squirrels that was invaluable for comparing the fortunes of squirrels from year-to-year. Project Manager Dr Mel Tonkin said: “Without the spring survey data, we need the help of… […]

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News: Record participation in national squirrel survey

…in Scotland. Dr Mel Tonkin, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Project Manager said: “We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to report a squirrel sighting during the survey. It’s been inspiring to see more people than ever taking time to enjoy nature and on the look-out for squirrels.” “Reporting a squirrel sighting is a small act that helps to […]

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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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This Year's Sightings