A lucky escape!

…to see this- watch it right to the end! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZXZfnzXA4E This footage was caught just after 6am in early May. It clearly shows a tawny owl swoop in and land on the tree just above where the squirrel was. Amazing! Now what we don’t know is what the tawny owl was up to. It may well have been sizing up… […]

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How can mathematical modelling help save red squirrels in Scotland?

…areas where red and grey squirrels are living in the same or adjacent areas. Spread through ‘red only’ populations will be restricted and localised to the interface of the two species. Therefore a Scotland-wide squirrelpox epidemic is not likely in ‘red only’ areas. Beyond the interface with grey squirrels, ‘red only’ areas will remain disease free. Model simulations show that… […]

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A red squirrel first for Luss Estate

…volunteers have been contributing to our grey squirrel control work in the area, so it’s great to see their efforts finally paying off. One of the long-term goals in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park action plans, including ‘Wild Park 2020’, is working towards a long-term goal of maintaining the whole area as a ‘red-only’ zone.   An… […]

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Major boost for Scotland’s red squirrels thanks to National Lottery funding

…so it is fantastic that players of the National Lottery will help to mobilise communities to take practical action to protect one of our best loved animals.” Lucy Casot, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said: “Many of us have a soft spot for red squirrels and sighting one in the flesh is an exciting, but sadly increasingly… […]

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North East towns at the forefront of efforts to save Scotland’s red squirrels

…Trust and made possible thanks to National Lottery players. With the help of a network of dedicated volunteers, the project is working to reduce grey squirrel numbers in the region, with the aim of removing them completely. Members of the public are being asked to help by reporting any squirrel sightings (red and grey) on the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels… […]

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Celebrating a red squirrel champion

…social media advocates, community fundraisers, recruiting sergeants, etc. I hope my award inspires others to reflect on their own skills and seek to apply them energetically to red squirrel conservation, or indeed any other activity that helps to save our planet.” As Community Engagement Officer for the South West, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Peter over the… […]

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Knowledge Fair – celebrating five years of community action

  In December over 100 SSRS volunteers, landowners and other supporters joined us online]}** to celebrate the end of the project’s ‘Developing Community Action‘ phase. The two-day Knowledge Fair featured presentations and panel discussions on all that the project has achieved over the past five years. It was also an opportunity to learn more about the red squirrel conservation work […]

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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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News: Over £1M in new funding awarded to aid red squirrel recovery in Scotland

…new collaboration with the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s WildGenes lab at Edinburgh Zoo to identify individual grey squirrels, improve trapping efficacy, and provide estimates of numbers remaining in Aberdeen. Programme Manager Nicole Still said: “We are delighted to receive this new funding, which represents the next step in the journey towards integrating sustainable long-term red squirrel recovery in Scotland…. […]

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This Year's Sightings