Busy breeding

…of factors including availability of food, weather, and body condition. Body weight, closely linked to food abundance, is integral to breeding success; female squirrels must reach a minimum weight to breed (around 280-300g). In areas where food is plentiful, two litters of kittens (or kits) may be born, the first in early spring (Feb/Mar) and the second in summer (May/June)…. […]

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Game-changing grant awarded to South Scotland volunteers

…working to monitor, promote and protect red squirrels where they live. Field equipment has a vital role to play in volunteer activities, and a recent grant of £14,120 awarded by the Red Squirrel Survival Trust to the Forum will help provide groups with game-changing tools including 10 thermal imaging scopes and 120 trail cameras. Both thermal imagers and trail cameras… […]

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Welcoming volunteers back into the field this Volunteers’ Week

…December volunteer announcement, grey squirrel control volunteers can continue their work in the field   We ask those looking to return to volunteering, to be proactive in monitoring changing Covid-19 guidelines in your local authority area, by regularly visiting https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/. Prior to commencing any new activities, a Covid-19 Risk Assessment will need to be reviewed. This can be accessed through… […]

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Cycling for Squirrels

…motivating to have a purpose to the hard work and sore legs (Peat Inn is 200 metres above sea level – ooyah!) and if any SSRS supporters would like to push me on I have started a Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/Kensredsquirrelcycle where you can donate. If you do, I’ll dedicate a mile to you on my way to Edinburgh…. […]

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See you in a few years…

…colleagues and working in one of the most accessible scenic areas in Scotland: Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park (www.lochlomond-trossachs.org). Along with all of my red squirrel friends (and grey squirrel “enemies”…), I have seen an amazing variety of wildlife, including: otters, pine marten, red deer, roe deer, goosanders, ravens, and even a slow worm in this poor summer…. […]

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This Year's Sightings