…red squirrel populations across most of England, Wales and Scotland’s Central Belt. Grey squirrels can also carry squirrelpox, a virus that doesn’t harm them but is deadly to reds. One of the project’s key aims is to build a network of local volunteers in priority areas across the south of Scotland, where healthy red squirrel populations are surrounded by greys… […]
…in your area. What should I do if grey squirrels come to my garden? If grey squirrels start appearing in your garden for the first time, please contact your local squirrel group. You should not feed grey squirrels, so you may need to stop all feeding. Special feeders that provide food for red squirrels but prevent access to grey squirrels… […]
…to protect local red squirrel populations. Registered users can keep track of their squirrel sightings, and join a local red squirrel network to connect with others in your area. Once you have become a Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels volunteer you’ll also be able to use the Hub to access training resources and materials and submit and view your data online…. […]
…better if you have any group members with a firearm, a licence and plenty of patience. Fortunately we have one such person – our secret weapon! Most of our grey sightings are one-offs, and we suspect these are recent arrivals still on the move. They are like ghosts and defy all control efforts, probably because they have already left before… […]
…Elizabeth’s jubilee celebration held on Denholm Green, where our giant mascots, Hazel Spartacus McNutt (the name having been chosen by children from the local primary school) and Amber, were loved by all. We have also taken part in various Christmas events and have delivered presentations about our work at local village halls and community centres. Attending such events not only… […]
…through competition for resources. Most worryingly they could also potentially bring the deadly squirrelpox virus, which isn’t currently present in Aberdeenshire, with them. This virus doesn’t harm grey squirrels but it is deadly for reds. It would be devastating for Scotland’s squirrels if squirrelpox is allowed to spread into the north of the country. “There are a number of ways… […]
What would the full recovery of Scotland’s red squirrel population look like? This is the question being tackled by the Scottish Squirrel Group, a multi-disciplinary group convened by NatureScot and made up of key Government agencies, land owners and managers, volunteer groups, researchers and academics, and environmental NGOs in order to revise the Scottish Strategy for Red Squirrel Conservation… […]
…to do its work and dry as the residues are all broken down to safe end products within 15-30 minutes. Disposal of any remaining material is easy, as it can be safely poured down drains or over gravel without any problems after the solution has been deactivated (one week after the mixture has been made). During a squirrelpox… […]
…Science and Research Grey squirrel fertility control progress – Kay Haw, UK Squirrel Accord Occupancy modelling of squirrel populations in Scotland – Dr Ewan McHenry, Woodland Trust Mathematical modelling studies to inform red squirrel conservation – Dr Peter Lurz, University of Edinburgh Spatial ecology of grey squirrels in an urban environment – Devin Fitzpatrick, University of the Highlands and Islands… […]
The first recorded red squirrel in Plean near Stirling in many years was spotted in the most unlikely of places – a local resident’s living room. William Higgins was surprised to find the animal frantically scrambling around his home last month. He said: “I was in the kitchen when I thought I heard the post being delivered. When… […]
