News: Public squirrel sightings soar in 2023

…public to spot and record all grey and red squirrels, a total of 1334 people took part, reporting just under 2000 red and grey squirrel sightings across the country, almost 2.5 times as many as were reporting during the 2022 survey. These sightings provide invaluable data for conservationists and scientists working on the ground to protect the endangered native red… […]

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Looking for signs of squirrels this September

…for signs of feeding, a great way to tell if squirrels are in the area. Cones are a favourite of squirrels so you will often find them nibbled on the ground. A messy chewed cone is most likely a squirrel , while a neatly chewed cone could be a smaller creature like a mouse. © Elana Bader   Squirrels like… […]

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Coronavirus: Phased restart of SSRS outdoor volunteer work

…we welcomed the return of Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels grey squirrel control staff and essential control volunteers to outdoor working who were able to work alone and apply social distancing measures in alignment with our new SSRS Covid-19 risk assessments for outdoor working. Following the latest easing of restrictions, grey squirrel control volunteers are now able to travel outwith a… […]

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Local update: getting into the squirrel spirit

Original Author: Mary-Anne Collis Conservation Officer Mary-Anne Collis gives us an update on what’s been happening in Argyll, Trossachs and Stirlingshire.   We’ve been very busy in the Argyll, Trossachs and Stirlingshire region this year. I’ve been on a personal mission to say hello to as many people as possible, spreading the word about submitting your squirrel sightings, both red… […]

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Invasive Species Week: the road to recovery

…red squirrel populations in Scotland have remained stable. The most encouraging results were found in Aberdeen, where red squirrels are being reported in suburban gardens and parks that only a few years ago were grey-only zones. There are still many healthy red squirrel populations in South Scotland, and we are successfully managing to prevent grey squirrels from further encroaching upon… […]

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Helping It Happen Award Nomination for Red Squirrel Conservation

…and supporting them to take action to protect red squirrels where they live. By developing and supporting these community-led groups, we aim to leave a legacy that ensures long-term, sustainable red squirrel conservation in Scotland. We are proud to have our hard work recognised as a finalist in the conservation category and look forward to celebrating with our fellow finalists… […]

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News: 2018 squirrel survey reveals the challenges ahead for Scotland’s red squirrels

…squirrel presence has significantly increased, suggesting that grey squirrels are continuing to move into what was previously “red only” territory. Although red and grey squirrels can live side by side for a short period of time, in most wooded landscapes, grey squirrels will typically replace red squirrels within a few years unless efforts are made to reduce their numbers. When… […]

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Moving forward with the Red Squirrel Forum for South Scotland

…necessary to protect them. The Forum also recognised that volunteers face several challenges to establishing widespread protection for red squirrels in the region, including: Some areas such as the Nith Valley face continuous incursion by grey squirrels. Comprehensive and coordinated grey squirrel control will be a top priority in these areas for the foreseeable future. Humane and effective grey squirrel… […]

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This Year's Sightings