A red squirrel first for Luss Estate

  After years of carefully targeted grey squirrel control, we were excited to hear that a red squirrel has been spotted in Luss. It’s a sign that our native reds are beginning to make a comeback on Loch Lomond’s western shores. Luss Estate is a nationally important area for red squirrel conservation because it sits on the Highland Boundary Fault… […]

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Reports of suspected squirrelpox near Cardrona

…Officer, Sarah Cooper at scooper@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk. Unfortunately, at this time, SSRS are unable to fully confirm the presence of squirrelpox as the experts who carry out post mortem investigations are currently not operating due to coronavirus restrictions. However, photographs and videos of the squirrel are extremely useful in helping determine whether symptoms correlate with those presented by squirrelpox. Please note, that… […]

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News: Red letter day – Plean’s first red squirrel entered home through letterbox

…squirrel left unharmed by the incident, and Mr Higgins reported the sighting to Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, who monitor squirrel populations across Scotland. Mary-Anne Collis, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Conservation Officer said: “People will be much more used to seeing squirrels in the woods but this sighting is doubly surprising because it’s the first recorded red squirrel in Plean since… […]

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North East towns at the forefront of efforts to save Scotland’s red squirrels

  Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is urging the public to be on the lookout as recent grey squirrel sightings have been reported in crucial areas for red squirrel conservation. The project has received reports of recent grey squirrel activity around both Ellon and St Cyrus, prompting a call for locals to record sightings of both red and grey squirrels online…. […]

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Community action in Galloway

…than a decade with others on the ecology of red squirrels in their Kielder Forest stronghold, just as greys were creeping into Northumberland from the north, west and south. On reaching Gatehouse after I retired, I soon encountered Heinz Traut, then working as the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Project Officer for Dumfries & Galloway (and now with our sister project… […]

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Celebrating a red squirrel champion

…In 2018 Peter was asked by SSRS to found the Red Squirrel Forum for South Scotland as the umbrella organisation run by volunteers for all the volunteers in the squirrel groups and networks (now 18 with around 350 members) in South Scotland. The Forum acts as a bridge with other red squirrel organisations in the UK, helping to keep the… […]

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Knowledge Fair – celebrating five years of community action

…South Scotland – Sarah Cooper, South East Community Engagement Officer Session Q&A   Session 2: Around the UK Holding the Red Line in Northern England – Heinz Traut, Red Squirrels Northern England Northern Ireland update – Katy Bell, Ulster Wildlife Trust Red squirrel reintroductions in the north of Scotland – Alan McDonnell, Trees for Life Session Q&A   Session 3:… […]

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Welcoming volunteers back into the field this Volunteers’ Week

…Assessment followed. Volunteers can now undertake operational survey work, which was previously suspended All face to face training activities can now recommence, including trail camera and operational survey training for volunteers In-person Volunteer Network Group meetings can now commence, adhering to Government guidelines on meeting others indoors or outdoors Leaflet drops are now permitted for volunteers As highlighted in our… […]

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Red squirrels and biosecurity

…strong virucidal treatment of the area is essential. Virkon ®S has been used on cruise ships for norovirus infections and in farms with foot and mouth outbreaks, and is now proven effective against squirrelpox, the various squirrel bacteria and Squirrel Adenovirus infections which are less common but equally significant.   Disinfecting Feeder Boxes © Cameron Singh-Johnstone   Virkon ®S comes… […]

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Reviewing the Scottish Strategy for Red Squirrel Conservation

  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… […]

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This Year's Sightings