Local update: getting into the squirrel spirit

…and grey. Your sightings really help us to know what’s happening in the region and to target our efforts effectively. Keep them coming!   We really have gotten into the squirrel spirit, with squirrel-shaped gingerbread to celebrate Red Squirrel Week back at the end of September, and a recent visit from ‘Sandy the squirrel’ at Balmaha National Park Visitor Centre…. […]

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A red squirrel treasure hunt

Original Author: Gill Hatcher Did you ever pick up pinecones when you were little? Maybe you still do! Here at Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels we’re always keeping one eye to the ground, because even when red squirrels are being elusive, they might be leaving clues behind.   Red squirrels have surprisingly varied diets. They love nuts, but they also eat… […]

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North East Scotland

North East Scotland Eradicating grey squirrels and bringing red squirrels back to the parks and gardens of Aberdeen The grey squirrel population in Aberdeen city is considered an “island population” due to it’s geographic and genetic isolation from the rest of mainland Britain’s grey squirrel population. The species was introduced to Aberdeen city in what is believed to be a… […]

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News: Record participation in national squirrel survey

…to run the Great Scottish Squirrel Survey for the second time, and the survey is expected to be carried out again in autumn 2021. Sightings can be reported year-round but this concentrated campaign provides valuable data and understanding of both red and grey squirrel distribution changes, helping focus conservation efforts on the areas where red squirrels are most under threat…. […]

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Simple tricks for telling your reds from your greys

…tree – what tell-tale signs can we look for to distinguish between Scotland’s native red squirrel and the non-native grey squirrel?   © Raymond Leinster   Red Squirrels Let’s start with red squirrels! Because their fur colour varies so much (generally a chestnut coat, but also can include black, or even grey), it’s helpful to try and distinguish other identifiable… […]

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News: Suspected squirrelpox outbreak near Lockerbie threatens local red squirrel population

…outbreak.” The first known squirrelpox outbreak in Scotland occurred in 2007 near Lockerbie and since then the disease has arisen in various red squirrel populations across the south. Pox carrying grey squirrels are now considered to be widespread throughout South Scotland and the disease could therefore be transferred to local red squirrel populations in any area. However, despite outbreaks in… […]

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News: First death of red squirrel from squirrelpox virus confirmed north of Scotland’s Central Belt

…further dead red squirrels in and around Dunfermline, these can be posted to us for examination using these detailed guidelines” The first known outbreak of squirrelpox in Scotland occurred in 2007 near Lockerbie and since then the disease has arisen in various red squirrel populations across south Scotland. However, this is the first time that a case has been confirmed… […]

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This Year's Sightings