Hawick, Selkirk and Denholm Red Squirrel Network – One Year Later

…South Scotland became independent, retaining use of the SSRS Community Hub and other resources. We catch up with Bill Ferguson from the Hawick, Selkirk and Denholm network to hear how they have been getting on. Since becoming an independent group in April 2022, HSD Red Squirrel Network has been led by our 5 dedicated committee members: the Chair, Treasurer, Secretary,… […]

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Cally Gardens Wildlife Hide is now open!

…Cally Woods so many people enjoy visiting. The shortest route to take starts at the car park next to the Horse Trail, about 500m along Cally Drive from the entrance lodge. From there, you should follow the new fingerpost signs until you reach the stone dyke which forms the boundary of the Cally Gardens property. Round the corner to the […]

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Squirrel Sightings: an inside look

…our control efforts where they are most needed. It also gives us a year on year comparison of red and grey squirrel distribution throughout Scotland so we can measure the progress of the project.   How do you submit your sightings? It’s very easy – just head to our website and on the homepage you can see the sightings information… […]

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Argaty’s red squirrels are back in full force

…and the wall. This winter another was seen feeding on peanuts beside our visitor centre, several hundred metres from the nearest tree. They are regularly seen in our neighbours’ gardens too, pilfering the nuts left out for the birds. Truly, theirs has been the most remarkable recovery.   Red squirrels on Argaty © Lynn Bowser   Their comeback is not… […]

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

…of the public and SSRS staff which appear to display classic symptoms of the deadly disease. Very sadly at least 10 red squirrels have been found dead in the area due to suspected squirrelpox. Squirrelpox is a virus carried by grey squirrels which appears not to affect them, but when passed to red squirrels, the virus is often lethal. Symptoms… […]

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News: New research underway to trace the steps of urban squirrels

…radio and GPS (Global Positioning System) tracking. The results will support ongoing red squirrel conservation in the local area. The research is funded by Forestry & Land Scotland and will be carried out under a special licence from NatureScot. Grey squirrels were first introduced to Aberdeen in the 1970s. They soon replaced native red squirrels across the city and in… […]

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News: Get involved in Scotland’s fifth annual Great Scottish Squirrel Survey

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… […]

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Squirrel Sightings: an inside look

…aren’t any others in the area. In Helensburgh however, no red squirrels had been recorded in living memory, only greys. That changed last year with a report of a red squirrel on the outskirts of the town, followed by further red sightings this year on the other side. So, now that you know how the whole thing works, please get… […]

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New threat to Perthshire’s red squirrels as greys reappear in Aberfeldy

…Chapel Road have raised the alarm once more. Tayside Conservation Officer Ann-Marie MacMaster said: “These recent sightings are a cause for concern because it could suggest that the grey squirrels spotted last year have now bred. If grey squirrels established themselves in the area, this would have devastating consequences for the local red population. “We are asking everyone in the […]

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News: Public citizen science effort creates snapshot of squirrel distributions across Scotland.

…can make a big difference to our efforts.” Sightings can be reported year-round at scottishsquirrels.org.uk/squirrel-sightings. Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is a partnership project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and supported by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players, along with other partners. For further information please contact Nicole Still, nstill@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk, 07423 028689… […]

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This Year's Sightings