How can mathematical modelling help save red squirrels in Scotland?

…Fleet basin stronghold (Dumfries & Galloway) the model predicted that the exclusion of grey squirrels from the stronghold via control would protect red squirrels from replacement in the stronghold. Disease can still spread from greys outside to reds inside the stronghold leading to periodic outbreaks in the red population. These disease outbreaks would lead to a fall in red squirrel… […]

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To feed or not to feed?

…D’ added to a dish of drinking water, bone meal added to the dry feed mix, or a cuttlefish, bone or antler placed near to the feeder. This is especially valuable during summer for juvenile and female squirrels. Apples and carrots can also reduce the chances of calcium deficiency occurring, and are an important part of the food you provide. […]

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Spotting the elusive Scottish Red Squirrel

Original Author: Lorna Hutchison If you’ve yet to set eyes on a Scottish Red Squirrel, here’s a wee guide to help increase your chances!   Go north. Or south. Those of us living in the densely populated central belt have a choice to make. There are populations of red squirrels in the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway but personally, I’d… […]

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See you in a few years…

…colleagues and working in one of the most accessible scenic areas in Scotland: Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park (www.lochlomond-trossachs.org). Along with all of my red squirrel friends (and grey squirrel “enemies”…), I have seen an amazing variety of wildlife, including: otters, pine marten, red deer, roe deer, goosanders, ravens, and even a slow worm in this poor summer…. […]

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Major boost for Scotland’s red squirrels thanks to National Lottery funding

…the area a grey-squirrel free zone by developing a rapid response system to detect and remove residual individuals. In the Central Lowlands, coordinated control of grey squirrels will prevent them from becoming established to the north of the ‘Highland Line’, home to the UK’s largest population of red squirrels that are unaffected by greys. In Southern Scotland, we will focus… […]

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Game-changing grant awarded to South Scotland volunteers

…enable volunteers to detect squirrels, red and grey, much more efficiently, enabling volunteers to identify areas that may be under threat from the non-native grey squirrel. View of squirrel through thermal imager © Scott Country International The new equipment is novel to most people and fun to use, so it will also deliver benefits to community engagement activities such as… […]

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This Year's Sightings