…the survey, our third highest year since they began collecting public squirrel sightings in 2010. The highest year to date was in 2020 when 3000 sightings were recorded during the survey, and 22,772 were recorded overall. Programme Manager Nicole Still said: “Public sightings play an essential role in informing and directing our strategic efforts. Whilst we recognise 2020 was an… […]
…non-native grey squirrels, pine martens and red squirrels have evolved to co-exist in our natural ecosystem. However, a new paper from Queen’s University Belfast and University of St Andrews suggests that in non-native conifer forests, the presence of pine martens may cause a decline in red squirrels. The predator’s appetite switches from grey squirrels – which are often absent in… […]
…the community that the main reason there have been so few red squirrels seen around Moffat is due to the influx of grey squirrels into the area. We are carrying out a very successful trapping programme with the support of local landowners and householders. Already this year we have had more than double the number of reported red squirrel sightings… […]
…aims to produce a practical, evidence-based and realistic approach to species recovery even in the current era of the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. The main 50-year vision informing the new Strategy is to achieve the recovery of red squirrels in Scotland; to see healthy, self-sustaining populations which are capable of fulfilling their ecological role throughout their… […]
…from the threat of invasive non-native grey squirrels. Project Manager Dr. Mel Tonkin said: “The walking trails are not only fantastic places to catch sight of a red squirrel in action, they are also located in the key project areas where we are working to ensure the long-term protection of this iconic Scottish species. “The trails are designed to encourage… […]
…possible without the support of Aberdeen City Council; a collaboration that has facilitated access to, and management within crucial habitats on council land. The initiative has proven hugely successful over the years and was previously awarded an RSPB Nature of Scotland, Species Champion Award in 2014 for ‘the Return of Aberdeen’s Red Squirrels’. Aberdeen City Council C ountryside Officer ,… […]
…in the early 1990s, and I was riding my bike along the rutted, potholed track that serves as the main road through our family farm. Stopping for a drink of water I looked across the adjacent field when an unexpected movement caught my eye. Standing atop a nearby gatepost was a red squirrel. Tail twitching, eyes unblinking it stared at… […]
…many years. In Aberdeen, breeding red squirrels have been recorded in suburban gardens and are now seen regularly in parks that only a few years ago were overrun by grey squirrels. This red squirrel recovery is replicated in parts of Perthshire, Angus and northern parts of Stirling. Greys are retreating… Springtime surveys over several years show a trend of grey… […]
Saving Scotland Red Squirrels: Developing Community Action ran from 2017 – 2022. One of the aims of this phase of the project was to set up and equip a network of volunteer groups in South Scotland capable of independently taking forward red squirrel conservation in the region. As such, in April 2022, 13 of the Red Squirrel Networks in… […]
…nature in our towns and cities, particularly as urban growth and intensification increases. Although red squirrels have successfully adapted to live alongside us in urban areas, they still need access to native seed-bearing trees (instead of ornamental species often found in gardens) for high quality food sources and for building dreys, habitat corridors for movement, and protection from road traffic…. […]
