Red squirrels and biosecurity

…in East Anglia in the 1980’s and has gradually moved northwards. Red squirrels, (Sciurus vulgaris) our native species, are under threat from loss of habitat and competition with the larger introduced grey squirrel. Now it has been found that when there is cross-infection with the pox virus from grey squirrel carriers, eradication of the reds can be around 20% faster… […]

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SSRS Knowledge Fair

SSRS Knowledge Fair: celebrating five years of developing community action   3-4 December 2021 As our ‘Developing Community Action’ phase comes to an end we will be celebrating all the project has achieved alongside our partners, volunteers, landowners and supporters. This virtual Knowledge Fair will also provide an opportunity to learn more about red squirrel conservation work happening across Scotland… […]

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Knowledge Fair – celebrating five years of community action

…Science and Research Grey squirrel fertility control progress – Kay Haw, UK Squirrel Accord Occupancy modelling of squirrel populations in Scotland – Dr Ewan McHenry, Woodland Trust Mathematical modelling studies to inform red squirrel conservation – Dr Peter Lurz, University of Edinburgh Spatial ecology of grey squirrels in an urban environment – Devin Fitzpatrick, University of the Highlands and Islands… […]

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Celebrating a red squirrel champion

…to ten camera traps. This game-changing grant will make monitoring surveys more robust, grey squirrel control more effective and public engagement activities even more captivating, right across South Scotland. These initiatives by Peter at Forum level already go some way towards ensuring that community-led squirrel conservation work will continue uninterrupted beyond the end of the current phase of the SSRS… […]

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News: Red letter day – Plean’s first red squirrel entered home through letterbox

  The first recorded red squirrel in Plean near Stirling in many years was spotted in the most unlikely of places – a local resident’s living room.   William Higgins was surprised to find the animal frantically scrambling around his home last month. He said: “I was in the kitchen when I thought I heard the post being delivered. When… […]

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North East towns at the forefront of efforts to save Scotland’s red squirrels

…causing the region’s red squirrel populations to decline rapidly. Years of grey squirrel control work carried out by Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels has already removed grey squirrels from much of Aberdeenshire, allowing red squirrels to return to places such as Ellon and even some parts of Aberdeen. A 2017 survey conducted by the project indicated that red squirrel populations in… […]

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Community Hub

…local red squirrel network to connect with others in their area. Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels volunteers can also use the Hub to access additional resources as well as submit and view data online. WATCH THE HUB USER VIDEO GUIDES DOWNLOAD THE HUB USER GUIDE PDF HUB FAQS   Join the Hub Not yet a member? Anyone can register to create… […]

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Call for Scots to become a nation of squirrel spotters this Red Squirrel Week

…red and grey squirrel sightings or by getting involved with a local volunteer group. Over 5000 squirrel sightings were reported in 2017 but with the launch of their new Hub, SSRS is this year looking to hit the 10,000 target. Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Project Manager, Dr Mel Tonkin said: “For Red Squirrel Week, we’re launching a brand new website… […]

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News: Report details red squirrel conservation successes, with key recommendations for the iconic species’ long-term future in Scotland.

…Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels summarises the methods, achievements, challenges, and crucial lessons learned over the five-year nation-wide endeavour, and outlines recommendations to ensure a legacy of continued successful red squirrel conservation in Scotland into the future. The project aimed to find sustainable and affordable ways by which to halt the decline, and enable reestablishment in some areas, of Scotland’s red… […]

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This Year's Sightings