Introducing the new Eastern Lowlands Red Squirrel Group

…squirrel monitoring effort to help improve baseline data and allow for targeted grey squirrel management Provide training for volunteers in grey squirrel management Ensure a reduction in grey squirrel sightings by targeted trapping activity – including a trap loan scheme Increase community awareness and interest in red squirrel conservation across the project area via social media, website, agricultural events/shows and… […]

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Get Involved

…people all over Scotland actively exploring outdoors on the lookout for squirrels to help provide us with a detailed snapshot of the situation. To find out more about the survey and how you can get involved in future events, please visit the Great Scottish Squirrel Survey campaign page. If you create an account with our Community Hub, you can also… […]

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Red Squirrel Rambles

…Difficulty: Medium Wilderness Ranking: 1/3   Forestry & Land Scotland’s Dalbeattie Forest | Dumfries & Galloway Discover the mixed woodland of Dalbeattie Forest and the tranquil shores of Plantain Loch on this red squirrel route.   Duration: 60 Minutes Facilities: Parking Public Transport Available Nearby: Yes Difficulty: Medium Wilderness Ranking: 2/3     Share your adventures with us We would… […]

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An Introduction to Squirrels in Scotland

…There are now approximately 160,000 native red squirrels in Britain, of which over 75% live in Scotland Since the introduction of grey squirrels, they have become widespread across Britain due to their ability to adapt to new environments. They have also introduced the squirrel pox virus which, although catastrophic to red squirrels, appears to leave grey squirrels relatively unharmed due… […]

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Leaping into the future

  This week marks the official end of ‘Developing Community Action’. The past five years have gone incredibly fast! So what happens next?   Funded by National Lottery Players, ‘Developing Community Action’ saw the SSRS team expand to its largest ever staffing level, with ambitious aims to boost our engagement with local communities, build a network of skilled volunteers and,… […]

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

…Aberfeldy area to keep your eyes peeled for grey squirrels and report any sightings direct to our project website, scottishsquirrels.org.uk.” Grey squirrels were introduced to Scotland’s Central Belt in Victorian times and have since spread across the country, in many places completely replacing the native red squirrel population. At present the only way to prevent this spread is through targeted… […]

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Argaty’s red squirrels are back in full force

computer down and head to the woods to feed our squirrels. If none are around I will linger a few minutes, as I do every day, and wait for the first one to come in. And as I stand watching it I will remember the excitement of that first squirrel sighting and wonder what my ten-year old self would say… […]

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Tayside

…  Landowners Landowners in certain areas can control grey squirrels under Forestry Grant Scheme funding, or join the project’s trap-loan scheme. Woodland owners, meanwhile, can adjust the management of their woods to benefit red squirrels. Please contact your local SSRS or Scottish Forestry staff for more information.   Area Contact Susie McNaughton Conservation Officer smcnaughton@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk Peter Harrison Conservation Officer pharrison@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk […]

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Simple tricks for telling your reds from your greys

…conservation. You can report your sightings on our website here: scottishsquirrels.org.uk/squirrel-sightings Happy squirrel spotting, and please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team with any queries or comments about the squirrels you see on your adventures! You can reach us at 0131 312 4719, via e-mail at squirrels@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk , or on social media – Facebook @SavingScotlandsRedSquirrels and X (formerly… […]

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South Scotland

…under Forestry Grant Scheme funding, or join the project’s trap-loan scheme. Woodland owners, meanwhile, can adjust the management of their woods to benefit red squirrels. Please contact your local SSRS or Scottish Forestry staff for more information.   Area Contacts South West Steve McKillop and Andrew Hodgkinson Project Officers (job share) ssrssouthwest@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk   South East Victoria Chanin Project Officer vchanin@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk […]

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This Year's Sightings