News: Public citizen science effort creates snapshot of squirrel distributions across Scotland.

can make a big difference to our efforts.” Sightings can be reported year-round at scottishsquirrels.org.uk/squirrel-sightings. Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is a partnership project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and supported by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players, along with other partners. For further information please contact Nicole Still, nstill@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk, 07423 028689… […]

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All things invasive with the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative

…staggering 94% decline in native water vole populations? The American skunk-cabbage plant does actually smell as bad as a skunk….   White butterburr was imported as a garden ornamental from mainland Europe and SW Asia and escaped into the wild.   What is an Invasive Species? There are around 2,000 non-native plants and animals in the UK, these non-native species… […]

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News: Public squirrel sightings soar in 2023

…public to spot and record all grey and red squirrels, a total of 1334 people took part, reporting just under 2000 red and grey squirrel sightings across the country, almost 2.5 times as many as were reporting during the 2022 survey. These sightings provide invaluable data for conservationists and scientists working on the ground to protect the endangered native red… […]

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For nature, go native

…started soon after the First World War has provided a vast additional area of habitat. Because grey squirrels don’t readily survive in them, Sitka spruce forests can help red squirrels by providing a refuge when grey squirrel numbers are overwhelming in the wider landscape. However, without the threat from greys, red squirrels are best suited to a mixed habitat of… […]

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Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels

Get Involved Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is working with local communities to ensure red squirrels will always be a part of Scotland’s special native wildlife. Together with partners, landowners and a network of local groups and volunteers, we are focused on the areas where red squirrels are most under threat from the spread of the invasive grey squirrel. Our efforts… […]

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Studying the life of the urban red squirrel

…interest in researching urban wildlife ecology in recent years. Although some species are negatively impacted by urban developments, others are able to adapt and even thrive in these new conditions; one such urban-adaptable species being the red squirrel. My PhD research aims to find out how red squirrels are able to live in urban environments, including how they exploit the… […]

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Local update: getting into the squirrel spirit

…peninsula, the surrounds of Stirling, particularly north towards the National Park and Callander but also around Falkirk where unfortunately this year we found a grey squirrel that had the squirrelpox virus. If you are interested in getting involved in any aspect of Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels work in Argyll, the Trossachs and Stirling, drop us an email at squirrels@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk …. […]

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Ministerial approval for red squirrels

…working in partnership with landowners has benefited this much-loved species. Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Paul Wheelhouse, said: “Red squirrels are one of Scotland’s most recognisable and loved animals. The work of SSRS in raising awareness of their plight in north east Scotland is extremely important to preserving their future across Scotland.” Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse MSP with Jonny… […]

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Spotting the elusive Scottish Red Squirrel

…our website! (www.scottishsquirrels.org.uk/squirrel-sightings) If you’re lucky enough to see a red or grey squirrel, dead or alive, we want to know about it!! At Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels there are only a small number of staff covering very large areas and so we can’t be everywhere all the time. We need your help to know where the squirrels are so… […]

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This Year's Sightings