…the wider Aberdeenshire countryside, further threatening important red squirrel populations in Grampian and the Highlands. Grey Squirrel © Nicola Nuttall Larger and more productive than their red counterparts, grey squirrels can rapidly out-compete red squirrels for food and living space, making it difficult for the native species to successfully breed and for their young to survive. Because of… […]
…the 4th year of the survey, which has proved invaluable towards building a picture of both red and grey squirrel distributions across the country. The information collected during the survey directly influences work carried out by Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, a project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust that has been going for the last 14 years to help save… […]
…Find a route near you by downloading the ‘myGeoAdventure’ app for free from the Apple Store and through Google Play. The app currently includes the following Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels walking routes, which you can find by searching ‘Red Squirrel Ramble’. If you have issues with the myGeoAdventure app or your myGeoAdventure account, please contact the app developers directly. … […]
…single, accidental, introduction event in 1971. Within a few decades, grey squirrels replaced red squirrels throughout Aberdeen city. As their numbers increased they also spread into rural areas along the Dee, beyond Banchory, and the Don, as far as Inverurie, posing a threat to the red squirrels in wider Aberdeenshire and to nearby populations in Moray and the Highlands. SSRS… […]
…across the country, reporting an incredible 1549 sightings in just one week. We were particularly keen to see this year’s results due to the impact Covid-19 has had on our annual Spring Survey, which has been cancelled for the past two years. More detailed analysis is ongoing, but the overall distribution of red and grey squirrels across the… […]
…times and have since replaced our native red squirrel in many parts of the country. They out-compete reds for food and living space and can also carry squirrelpox, a virus that doesn’t harm them but is fatal to reds. Squirrel sightings, which are collected year-round, help the SSRS project to understand how the distribution of each species is changing over… […]
…the ground. Why should you take part? Reporting a squirrel sighting is one of the simplest things that anyone can do to help protect Scotland’s red squirrels. Red Squirrel Week (2-8 October) is the ideal time for a nationwide squirrel survey. Autumn is a fantastic time of year for squirrel spotting— they are often more visible than usual as they… […]
Covid-19 has presented a number of challenges since the start of the year and we are delighted to announce that, with the easing of restrictions, we can now begin to welcome wider Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels volunteers back into the field in perfect time for National Volunteers’ Week. We want to start by thanking everyone for their patience over… […]
…the species, their habitat and efforts to protect them. The ‘Red Squirrel Ramble’ trails guide walkers through ancient and historic woodlands, as well as scenic areas where red squirrels have made a recent comeback thanks to conservation efforts. Interactive walks are available at Hazlehead Park in Aberdeen, Atholl Estates’ Glen Tilt in Blair Atholl, RSPB Scotland’s Loch Lomond Reserve and… […]
