News: First death of red squirrel from squirrelpox virus confirmed north of Scotland’s Central Belt

…concerned about this latest news and are asking the local community in Dunfermline to take immediate action and protect red squirrels by taking in all garden and woodland wildlife feeders for the next month, as these can contribute to the spread of the disease from greys to reds and between reds once infected. We are also asking for everybody to… […]

Read More…

An update on the Heathhall squirrelpox outbreak

…and our initial response here. One of the infected red squirrels, photographed by Lisa Fuller Our first action was to remove any feeder boxes that had been installed in the woodland, to reduce inter-species and intra-species contact and therefore reduce the chances of the disease spreading further. We then set up live traps in the area with two aims. Firstly,… […]

Read More…

Suspected Squirrelpox outbreak near Dumfries threatens local red squirrel population

…or moving. As a result, it is usually fatal within two weeks and an outbreak can cause local numbers to crash. Wildlife feeder boxes and garden bird tables are a common cause of Squirrelpox outbreaks, as they bring squirrels of both species into closer contact with one another. A Heathhall red squirrel, photographed by Lisa Fuller Dr Stephanie Johnstone, Conservation… […]

Read More…

Q&A with Sarah Woodfin, Project Manager with Trees for Life’s Red Squirrel Reintroduction Project

…work would not be possible without the assistance of landowners, who are often extremely keen to get red squirrels returned to their land. Firstly, the proposed reintroduction area must be assessed for suitability of red squirrels, such as forest cover, species and connectivity. Stakeholders and the wider community are consulted as much as possible and are often involved in monitoring… […]

Read More…

Community Hub

…a Hub account. If you are already a SSRS volunteer, please use the same email address you used when you originally signed up so we can match your personal details.   Volunteer access Already volunteering with us? You can start accessing additional Hub features by joining the SSRS volunteering group (you’ll need to register to create an account first). If… […]

Read More…

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

…on the considerable achievements of local communities, landowners, stakeholders, and the Scottish public to save Scotland’s red squirrels from suffering a similar fate to those of England and Wales. Regional: Aberdeen and North East Scotland: a professional team must continue efforts to control and monitor grey squirrels in Aberdeen and the North East until eradication from this area has been… […]

Read More…

Get Involved

endangered animal. Your plastic-free adoption pack (fulfilled by the Scottish Wildlife Trust) will include a personalised certificate, a beautiful wooden keyring, a papercraft model of the species, a fact file and much more. Adopt a red squirrel Join our trap loan scheme We are protecting Scotland’s red squirrels through targeted grey squirrel control in key strategic areas. For our work… […]

Read More…

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

…red squirrel conservation action. © Raymond Leinster   Mel added: “We are hugely excited to launch our new website for Red Squirrel Week. Red squirrel fans will be getting out and about, enjoying the beginning of autumn and keeping a lookout for both red and grey squirrels. “Assisted by the new Hub, our volunteers – and hopefully many new volunteers… […]

Read More…

New Conservation Officer calls for the public to help protect red squirrels in the Scottish Borders

  Laura Preston, the new Scottish Borders Conservation Officer for Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, is calling on locals to help the project by reporting sightings of both red and grey squirrels online.   Laura joins Community Engagement Officer Alexa Seagrave in the project’s new regional office near Newton St Boswells. They will be working with landowners and volunteers to protect… […]

Read More…

This Year's Sightings