Southern Uplands Partnership Guest Blog: Funding Success for Red Squirrel Recovery Network

…over £250,000 are assessed in two rounds. Red Squirrel recovery Network has initially been granted round one development funding of £158,600 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, allowing it to progress with its plans. Detailed proposals are then considered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund at second round, where a final decision is made on the full funding award. As… […]

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

…causing the region’s red squirrel populations to decline rapidly. Years of grey squirrel control work carried out by Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels has already removed grey squirrels from much of Aberdeenshire, allowing red squirrels to return to places such as Ellon and even some parts of Aberdeen. A 2017 survey conducted by the project indicated that red squirrel populations in… […]

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New Frontiers for Volunteers

Original Author: Lorna Hutchison, Volunteer Lorna Hutchison, new volunteer for the Argyll & Trossachs project area, tells us the reasons she has recently started volunteering for the project.   As an undergraduate at university it was the hands-on, practical side of my biology degree that got me into conservation. Now having studied a Master’s degree in Sweden and worked in… […]

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Knowledge Fair – celebrating five years of community action

…Science and Research Grey squirrel fertility control progress – Kay Haw, UK Squirrel Accord Occupancy modelling of squirrel populations in Scotland – Dr Ewan McHenry, Woodland Trust Mathematical modelling studies to inform red squirrel conservation – Dr Peter Lurz, University of Edinburgh Spatial ecology of grey squirrels in an urban environment – Devin Fitzpatrick, University of the Highlands and Islands… […]

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Coronavirus: all SSRS outdoor volunteer work suspended

…to be reviewed by the government. We will keep all our volunteers fully informed, and if you have any questions or concerns you can contact us at squirrels@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk or via your local Community Engagement Officer or Conservation Officer. With the potential loss of spring survey data, squirrel sightings will be more important than ever. So if you are outside to… […]

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News: ‘Booster’ project will protect Scotland’s red squirrels for another two years

…are successfully being prevented from spreading north of the Highland Boundary Line, protecting Scotland’s core red squirrel populations in the Highlands and Grampian. Ongoing work in this region is essential, as evidenced by recent grey sightings in Aberfeldy. The project has also focussed on public engagement at both a local and nationwide level, with over 1000 people reporting squirrel sightings… […]

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To feed or not to feed?

…in your area. What should I do if grey squirrels come to my garden? If grey squirrels start appearing in your garden for the first time, please contact your local squirrel group. You should not feed grey squirrels, so you may need to stop all feeding. Special feeders that provide food for red squirrels but prevent access to grey squirrels… […]

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Join the Hub

…to protect local red squirrel populations. Registered users can keep track of their squirrel sightings, and join a local red squirrel network to connect with others in your area. Once you have become a Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels volunteer you’ll also be able to use the Hub to access training resources and materials and submit and view your data online…. […]

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Community action in Galloway

…better if you have any group members with a firearm, a licence and plenty of patience. Fortunately we have one such person – our secret weapon! Most of our grey sightings are one-offs, and we suspect these are recent arrivals still on the move. They are like ghosts and defy all control efforts, probably because they have already left before… […]

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

Elizabeth’s jubilee celebration held on Denholm Green, where our giant mascots, Hazel Spartacus McNutt (the name having been chosen by children from the local primary school) and Amber, were loved by all. We have also taken part in various Christmas events and have delivered presentations about our work at local village halls and community centres. Attending such events not only… […]

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This Year's Sightings