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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Celebrating a red squirrel champion

…to raise awareness of the plight of the red squirrel and inspire others to take action in and around Gatehouse through social media and public engagement. Over 20 households undertake monthly garden counts, which encourage people to take a close look and enjoy their visitors on a daily basis. This is a simple citizen science project which allows the group… […]

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

…our project began ten years ago, although we knew they weren’t too far away. “It’s an encouraging sign that the work we’re doing to protect red squirrels in Stirlingshire with support from National Lottery players is having a positive impact. Plean is just the latest example of a town where people are reporting seeing red squirrels return after years of… […]

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A red squirrel first for Luss Estate

…line, where the grey squirrels of the Central Belt meet Scotland’s core red squirrel populations in the Highlands. It’s therefore crucial that we prevent the greys from spreading any further north, and that their numbers are reduced to allow nearby red populations to recolonise the area. Our data shows that red squirrels completely disappeared from Loch Lomond’s western shore except… […]

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

…in range and density partially due to over 70 homes hosting grey squirrel traps in their gardens. Additionally, the wider Scottish public contributed via the annual Great Scottish Squirrel Survey, with an average of over 1800 squirrel sightings reported between 2019 and 2021. With only a year left in the current two-year Transition Phase of Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, the… […]

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Get Involved

Get involved Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels has been working hard since 2009 to ensure red squirrels continue to have a home in Scotland. Our efforts are making a difference — in many of our project areas red squirrels are already beginning to make a comeback. However, there’s still a lot to do. With the help of our volunteers, we are… […]

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

…monitoring squirrel populations across Scotland since 2004. Sightings from the public are important because they help us measure the impact of our work and decide where to focus our efforts. “Our 2018 sightings map currently shows that while there are still places in the Scottish Borders with healthy red squirrel populations, other areas now have grey squirrel sightings only. However,… […]

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SSRS Knowledge Fair

…and beyond; and to look ahead to a future of working together to protect one of Scotland’s most iconic species. The online event will include a variety of talks, workshops and networking opportunities, as well as virtual exhibitions from some of our volunteers and partner organisations. Event access Click ‘reset password’ to set a password for the first time. You… […]

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This Year's Sightings