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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Get Involved

Community Engagement Officer dedicated to protecting key red squirrel populations with the help of landowners and volunteers Campaigns to spread the word about the lives of red squirrels, the problems that they face and the wider appreciation of Scotland’s wildlife and work to protect it. Donations to the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels project are processed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust…. […]

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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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Argyll, Trossachs & Stirling

…threaten their survival. These grey squirrels not only out-compete reds, some also carry the deadly squirrelpox virus. If their spread was allowed to continue, Scotland’s red squirrel stronghold in the southern Highlands would be at serious risk. The aim in this region is containment of the grey squirrel population to prevent further inroads being made on Scotland’s core red squirrel… […]

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Speakers FAQs

SSRS Knowledge Fair – contributors FAQs   The conference is taking place Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th December on the CrowdComms virtual conferencing platform. Do I have to pre-record? Every presenter has the option to pre-record their presentation i.e. create a video that will be broadcast ‘live’ on the day. Pre-recording helps everyone stick to time and reduces the chances… […]

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South Scotland

…helped establish 17 dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer Local Network Groups across the region, providing them with the training and support they need to control grey squirrels and monitor, promote and protect red squirrels where they live. The majority of these groups now work independently from SSRS, although we continue to support these efforts via our Community Hub and necessary professional… […]

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Tayside

Tayside Successfully defending the Highland Boundary Line to protect north Scotland’s red squirrels through strategic control and monitoring Tayside continues to provide a home for many of Scotland’s red squirrels. However, since the 1980s grey squirrels have spread north from Perth and the Central Belt. Unfortunately, these grey squirrels not only out-compete reds, some also carry the deadly squirrelpox virus…. […]

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Southern Uplands Partnership Guest Blog: Funding Success for Red Squirrel Recovery Network

they may have on both reds and greys. During the delivery phase, the project will establish the governance for a community grant, provided by the RSRN, to local community groups in the delivery phase enabling them to undertake their own red squirrel conservation projects. Southern Uplands Partnership will be in touch with South Scotland groups and partners soon to confirm… […]

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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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HRH The Prince of Wales gives special thanks to volunteers on Red Squirrel Appreciation Day

…Wales to all volunteers fighting for the survival of the red squirrel.   HRH The Prince of Wales is Patron of the Red Squirrel Survival Trust, one of our project partners, who are working closely with volunteers and members of regional and local red squirrel groups across the UK. Today the Red Squirrel Survival Trust shared the kind words received… […]

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This Year's Sightings