News: Help stop the spread of grey squirrels in the Mearns

…can be reported to us at scottishsquirrels.org.uk.” Since 2009, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels has been working in the North East of Scotland to eradicate an ‘island’ population of grey squirrels, which was introduced in the 1970s and is isolated from the rest of the Scottish population. Once widespread in Aberdeenshire along the rivers Dee and Don, this population of grey… […]

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Reviewing the Scottish Strategy for Red Squirrel Conservation

…conservation measures such as grey squirrel control, disease surveillance, habitat management and impacts of land use. The timeline for developing the Strategy is to submit the first draft to Nature Scot by early 2025. The Scottish Squirrel Group has already kicked started the process with a series of online workshops held throughout February to establish the most up to date… […]

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Red squirrels and biosecurity

…in East Anglia in the 1980’s and has gradually moved northwards. Red squirrels, (Sciurus vulgaris) our native species, are under threat from loss of habitat and competition with the larger introduced grey squirrel. Now it has been found that when there is cross-infection with the pox virus from grey squirrel carriers, eradication of the reds can be around 20% faster… […]

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Knowledge Fair – celebrating five years of community action

  In December over 100 SSRS volunteers, landowners and other supporters joined us online to celebrate the end of the project’s ‘Developing Community Action‘ phase. The two-day Knowledge Fair featured presentations and panel discussions on all that the project has achieved over the past five years. It was also an opportunity to learn more about the red squirrel conservation work… […]

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Community Hub

Welcome to the Community Hub Community action is the key to the long-term survival of Scotland’s red squirrels. The Hub is a space for our supporters and volunteers to keep up to date with the project and connect with like-minded people working to protect local red squirrel populations. Registered users can keep track of their squirrel sightings, and join a… […]

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

…our project began ten years ago, although we knew they weren’t too far away. “It’s an encouraging sign that the work we’re doing to protect red squirrels in Stirlingshire with support from National Lottery players is having a positive impact. Plean is just the latest example of a town where people are reporting seeing red squirrels return after years of… […]

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

…the Highland Line and the isolated pocket of grey squirrels in Aberdeen. Squirrelpox is not currently a threat in Aberdeenshire, however this could change if the gap between the two grey squirrel populations closes and they become able to breed. “However, this is not the first time greys have been seen in these areas, and there is no cause to… […]

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News: Report details red squirrel conservation successes, with key recommendations for the iconic species’ long-term future in Scotland.

…ensuring that this vital work is sustained long-term. Eileen Stuart, NatureScot Deputy Director of Nature and Climate Change, said: “The red squirrel is one of our most iconic species, and it’s heartening to reflect on the progress that has been made through this project to protect and expand populations. It is particularly encouraging to see the number of individuals, communities… […]

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New Conservation Officer calls for the public to help protect red squirrels in the Scottish Borders

project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and made possible thanks to National Lottery players. Anyone can support the project by reporting their sightings of both red and grey squirrels at scottishsquirrels.org.uk. For those who want to take a more active role in the project, volunteer roles include carrying out surveys or helping to control grey squirrels in the project’s… […]

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This Year's Sightings