Can red squirrels weather the storm?

  Stormy weather has hit Scotland hard in recent weeks, causing severe hardship to many and devastation to some of our native and commercial woodlands. While the safety of our staff and volunteers is always our top priority, it’s not surprising that many people have been in touch with us to ask “how are the red squirrels coping?”   Some… […]

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Great Scottish Squirrel Survey 2021: the results

…2021 Great Scottish Squirrel Survey results map looks highly positive, reflecting the project’s continued progress towards achieving its aims in priority areas: Removal of grey squirrels from Aberdeen and the surrounding countryside, allowing reds to return to the city Protecting the ‘Highland Line’ – preventing grey squirrels from spreading further north towards Scotland’s core red squirrel populations in Grampian and […]

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Cally Gardens Wildlife Hide is now open!

…to entice many songbird species into view, including the pied flycatcher, a stunning and rare summer visitor already nesting in the vicinity. Even the roof of the hide will be planted up by Kevin with ferns, bilberries and other species in due course! Access to the hide has been encouraged by Forestry and Land Scotland as the custodians of the… […]

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Simple tricks for telling your reds from your greys

…tree – what tell-tale signs can we look for to distinguish between Scotland’s native red squirrel and the non-native grey squirrel?   © Raymond Leinster   Red Squirrels Let’s start with red squirrels! Because their fur colour varies so much (generally a chestnut coat, but also can include black, or even grey), it’s helpful to try and distinguish other identifiable… […]

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An Introduction to Squirrels in Scotland

…a valuable part in seed dispersal, particularly in coniferous woodland. Although grey squirrels also contribute to seed dispersal, they prefer deciduous woodland where this function is already carried out by birds and other native animals, with whom they compete for food and habitat. In recent years we have begun to see success in the conservation of red squirrels. Projects such… […]

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

…the Highland Boundary Fault Line. It also shows that concerted work in Aberdeen has been very successful, with reds returning and grey numbers significantly decreasing in the city. In South Scotland a mix of the two species remains, but volunteers are working hard to keep numbers of grey squirrels low in this region. Nicole Still, Programme Manager for Saving Scotland’s… […]

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Knowledge Fair – celebrating five years of community action

…Pine martens and squirrels – Dr Emma Sheehy, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Session Q&A     SATURDAY 4 DECEMBER   Session 1: Celebrating Community Action Grey squirrel control and the SSRS trap loan scheme – James Kennedy, SSRS Grey Squirrel Officer Woodland management and the Forestry Grant Scheme – Colin Edwards, Scottish Forestry Landowner Story: Argaty Red Kites – Mary-Anne… […]

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News: Take a red squirrel ramble with new digital walking routes

…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 […]

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This Year's Sightings