RZSS Guest blog – Red squirrel recovery – a local success story

…this, there are many people throughout the country who have never seen a red squirrel due to the catastrophic declines they have suffered since non-native grey squirrels were introduced to the UK beginning in the 1890s; red squirrels are currently listed as an endangered species in the UK, and without conservation action are at risk of being driven to extinction…. […]

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New staff in the SSRS scurry!

…have learned so much already in the SSRS team. In my free time I enjoy being outside as much as possible, hill walking, cycling and beach combing.” Contact: nbentley@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk   But that’s not all, we also have a number of new Eradication Officers, and Monitoring & Control Officers in our North East, Tayside, Angus & the Mearns, and Argyll &… […]

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Invasive Non-Native Species Week 2025 – The grey threat

…the invasive grey squirrel. With the help of partners, landowners and local volunteers, the project is monitoring squirrel numbers across Scotland, managing the impact of Squirrelpox, and helping to combat the spread of grey squirrels in key strategic areas. Head over to our sightings page to report your squirrel sightings today. Once verified these sightings will be added to the… […]

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New faces and farewells

…is currently wrapping up her PhD research in forest sciences from the University of Freiburg. Her research has focused on the impacts of forest and wildlife management on biodiversity, with fieldwork experience ranging from the Rocky Mountains to the Black Forest to SWT reserves across central and eastern Scotland. Nicole has previously worked with several conservation NGOs in the UK […]

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Join team squirrel!

…March 2022 We are looking for a self-starter with a love of outdoor working, good interpersonal skills and experience of working with public, private landowners and volunteers, to fill a Monitoring and Control Officer post. The post will contribute to the project’s co-ordinated landscape-scale approach to reduce grey squirrel numbers in the target area of Mearns and East Angus, thus… […]

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Argyll, Trossachs & Stirling

for more information.   Landowners Landowners in certain areas can control grey squirrels under Forestry Grant Scheme funding, or join the project’s trap-loan scheme. Woodland owners, meanwhile, can adjust the management of their woods to benefit red squirrels. Please contact your local SSRS or Scottish Forestry staff for more information.   Area Contact Susie McNaughton Highland Line Conservation Lead smcnaughton@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk […]

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News: New research underway to trace the steps of urban squirrels

…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… […]

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

…South Scotland became independent, retaining use of the SSRS Community Hub and other resources. We catch up with Bill Ferguson from the Hawick, Selkirk and Denholm network to hear how they have been getting on. Since becoming an independent group in April 2022, HSD Red Squirrel Network has been led by our 5 dedicated committee members: the Chair, Treasurer, Secretary,… […]

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This Year's Sightings