Red Squirrel Rambles

…us in the following ways: Facebook: Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Twitter: @ScotSquirrels Email: squirrels@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk   Ramble Responsibly Know the code before you go, and visit the Scottish Outdoor Access Code for practical advice and guidance. Coronavirus update: please ensure you adhere to the latest guidelines issued by the Scottish Government, in regards to travel, leisure and socialising outdoors https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/.  … […]

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Southern Uplands Partnership Guest Blog: Funding Success for Red Squirrel Recovery Network

…over £250,000 are assessed in two rounds. Red Squirrel recovery Network has initially been granted round one development funding of £158,600 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, allowing it to progress with its plans. Detailed proposals are then considered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund at second round, where a final decision is made on the full funding award. As… […]

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How can mathematical modelling help save red squirrels in Scotland?

…Fleet basin stronghold (Dumfries & Galloway) the model predicted that the exclusion of grey squirrels from the stronghold via control would protect red squirrels from replacement in the stronghold. Disease can still spread from greys outside to reds inside the stronghold leading to periodic outbreaks in the red population. These disease outbreaks would lead to a fall in red squirrel… […]

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Reports of suspected squirrelpox near Cardrona

…area to please remove wildlife feeders from your gardens in order to avoid spreading the disease to healthy red squirrels visiting the feeders. Squirrelpox is a virus carried by grey squirrels without causing them any harm. However, if spread to red squirrels the disease is deadly. Feeding stations can encourage both species to come into close contact and increase the… […]

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New Frontiers for Volunteers

Original Author: Lorna Hutchison, Volunteer Lorna Hutchison, new volunteer for the Argyll & Trossachs project area, tells us the reasons she has recently started volunteering for the project.   As an undergraduate at university it was the hands-on, practical side of my biology degree that got me into conservation. Now having studied a Master’s degree in Sweden and worked in… […]

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Celebrating a red squirrel champion

…red squirrel conservation work done in South Scotland in line with practice across the country. To encourage collaboration across the Forum, Peter developed an ‘Offers and Needs Chart’ featuring around 20 activity types and all the groups. This is designed to encourage the exchange of advice and the establishment of trainer-trainee partnerships across the groups, in order to make best… […]

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Coronavirus: all SSRS outdoor volunteer work suspended

…as soon as possible (with a 10 figure grid reference for each trap or a detailed location description). Where traps are currently set, our staff will endeavour to secure them shut if at all possible. This was not an easy decision to make. Together we have made great strides in recent years, and we are fully aware that this could… […]

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News: ‘Booster’ project will protect Scotland’s red squirrels for another two years

…are successfully being prevented from spreading north of the Highland Boundary Line, protecting Scotland’s core red squirrel populations in the Highlands and Grampian. Ongoing work in this region is essential, as evidenced by recent grey sightings in Aberfeldy. The project has also focussed on public engagement at both a local and nationwide level, with over 1000 people reporting squirrel sightings… […]

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To feed or not to feed?

…sunflower seeds. A suitable mix is: 4 parts peanuts 1 part sunflower seeds 1 part whole maize. Beech nuts, sweet chestnuts and pine nuts are also excellent, if you can afford them. Red squirrels may suffer from calcium deficiency if eating a diet rich in peanuts or sunflower seed, so try to provide an alternative calcium source such as ‘Collo-Cal… […]

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This Year's Sightings