…Scotland continues to provide a home for the bulk of the country’s red squirrels, which still occurs as the sole species of squirrel over highland Scotland. Happily, the sightings also show that the native species still occupies a large area in the south of Scotland, although here they share the landscape with grey squirrels. The largest concentration of squirrel reports… […]
…time, and can also alert staff to situations where grey squirrels are posing an immediate threat to the local red population. The Great Scottish Squirrel Survey week will feature a programme of events across the country as well as self-guided opportunities. More information can be found at scottishsquirrels.org.uk/great-scottish-squirrel-survey. Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is a partnership project led by the Scottish… […]
Red Squirrel Week (21-27 September) marks the return of Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrel’s Great Scottish Squirrel Survey; a nationwide squirrel spotting campaign that has an even greater role to play in the protection of Scotland’s native red squirrels than ever. The impact of Covid-19 saw the suspension of many conservation activities throughout spring and summer. For Saving Scotland’s… […]
…and inclement winter weather. An abundance of natural wonders are associated with springtime and as for many other species, is when birthing and nurturing young become a priority for red squirrels. Watching red squirrels is always rewarding and there are behaviours specific to this time of year to look out for. Mating Mating behaviour may have begun as early… […]
Network groups across South Scotland priority areas are ensuring the long-term survival of native red squirrels through community action. In our project’s priority areas, some of these groups are already beginning to see red squirrel populations bounce back. Red squirrel gro ups have been invaluable in collective conservation efforts to date in South Scotland and are led by… […]
Following the latest government guidelines, it has been agreed between Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels and the Scottish Wildlife Trust that all red squirrel outdoor volunteer work will be temporarily suspended with immediate effect. This means that all registered Scottish Wildlife Trust volunteers carrying out grey squirrel control and/or survey work on behalf of Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels should… […]
Original Author: Alexa Seagrave It’s February and preparations are well underway for the 2018 squirrel survey. Conservation Officer Alexa Seagrave explains what the survey is all about and why spring is such a great time to get outdoors and look for squirrels. Last week we published the results of our 2017 squirrel survey, with the good news that overall… […]
…squirrel species evolved over 35 million years ago, most likely in North America. Because of this, North America has more squirrel species than the rest of the world combined. Out of 28 Sciurus species (the genus which includes our red squirrel as well as the grey), 25 of them are native to North America. That’s 25 species in Canada and… […]
…Sightings of both species can be reported year-round at scottishsquirrels.org.uk/squirrel-sightings. Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is a partnership project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and supported by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players, along with other partners. For further information please contact Katie Berry, squirrels@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk, 0131 312 4717/ 07388 994 610 … […]
…context, as it supports the concept that ecosystems with native predators can offer greater resistance to invasive species”. “The pine marten is a slow-breeding species however, which lives at naturally low densities compared to similar sized predators such as the American mink. Historically they were widespread throughout the UK but deforestation and persecution in the 19th and 20th centuries led… […]