…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… […]
…with a button for reporting a squirrel sighting. You will be asked for a grid reference, however if you are unable to supply this you can drop a pin on the map and a grid reference will be generated. If you have any additional comments on behaviour or location these can be really helpful, especially if you live in a… […]
…We very much look forward to continuing the important work to secure the future of red squirrels in Scotland.” Grey squirrels continue to pose the greatest threat to red squirrels in Scotland. An invasive species that was introduced to Britain from North America in Victorian times, grey squirrels out-compete reds for food and living space and have rapidly replaced native… […]
…unusual year with an increase in people spending time in the Scottish outdoors, we would love the public to once again head outside and help us increase our sightings to improve our understanding of Scotland’s squirrel populations”. Conservation Officer for Tayside Susie McNaughton said: “With ample nature food sources available and leaves falling, autumn is an ideal time to spot… […]
…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… […]
…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… […]
As we celebrate the fifth annual Great Scottish Squirrel Survey (running from the 2nd – 8th October), when recording those all-important sightings, how can we ensure that the squirrels we’re spotting are indeed the species we believe? When a sighting is brief – perhaps seen from a moving vehicle, or a fleeting glimpse of a furry tail in a… […]
…and North America, in outreach and programme management roles, and is very excited to be getting back to the applied conservation sector as part of the SWT and SSRS teams. With her experience with invasive species and knowledge of forest habitat I have no doubt that Nicole will find herself at home with the squirrel team. Finally we say goodbye… […]
…the species, their habitat and efforts to protect them. The ‘Red Squirrel Ramble’ trails guide walkers through ancient and historic woodlands, as well as scenic areas where red squirrels have made a recent comeback thanks to conservation efforts. Interactive walks are available at Hazlehead Park in Aberdeen, Atholl Estates’ Glen Tilt in Blair Atholl, RSPB Scotland’s Loch Lomond Reserve and… […]
…started soon after the First World War has provided a vast additional area of habitat. Because grey squirrels don’t readily survive in them, Sitka spruce forests can help red squirrels by providing a refuge when grey squirrel numbers are overwhelming in the wider landscape. However, without the threat from greys, red squirrels are best suited to a mixed habitat of… […]
