…commercial conifers – to red squirrels. The researchers, together with Ulster Wildlife, bring into question red squirrel conservation strategies that focus on the planting of such forests. Scotland’s conifer forests In Scotland, non-native conifer forests are planted for commercial purposes. By the 1930s red squirrel populations were in serious decline in the UK, but the extensive conifer planting that… […]
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…. […]
…reserve during the most crucial part of their breeding season. Highlights included watching the resident female osprey lay 3 eggs, observing the hatching and development of the young chicks, and admiring the incredible methods by which both parent ospreys worked together to ensure the very best chances for their young. Other favourite wildlife moments consisted of incredible beaver and pine… […]
…from His Royal Highness. HRH The Prince of Wales wrote: “21st January 2021 is Red Squirrel Awareness Day and, as Patron of the Red Squirrel Survival Trust, my thoughts turn naturally to all those throughout the United Kingdom who volunteer their skills and their time to fight for the survival of the red squirrel, and for native British trees,… […]
…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 confirmed straight away, but if there is a comment that it looked sick,… […]
…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… […]
…Countryside Act 1981. The Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform (Mairi McAllan) gave this response: S6W-01445 Mairi McAllan : “The Scottish Government is committed to enhancing biodiversity and to protecting vulnerable species in Scotland. Following the conclusion of the seventh Quinquennial Review the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) will submit recommendations for potential changes to the animals and plants… […]
…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,… […]
…targeted grey squirrel management to protect those red squirrel strongholds – keeping them grey squirrel free. To do this we need to work out land ownership of particular woodlands, get permission to survey and control these woodlands and recruit volunteers to carry out the work. If you can help in any way please do not hesitate to get in touch!… […]