Busy breeding

…beginning and end of the day when the adults are active. Squirrels frequently don’t stray far from the maternal drey for much of the summer but the majority of juveniles will have dispersed by autumn. It is estimated that only 15-25% will survive their first winter. Red squirrels reach sexual maturity by 9-10 months of age, so with sufficient food… […]

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Argaty Red Kites celebrate their other star species with a new red squirrel hide

…the area’s red squirrel conservation journey. The Woodland Hide can host up to three people at one time and is custom-built for photography. © Argaty Red Kites   Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels has been monitoring squirrel populations in the area since 2012. At first, only grey squirrels were detected on the Argaty estate. Then, in 2013/14 the map changed from… […]

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An Autumn Overview of Tree ID

…out those binoculars. Starting with any fallen leaves… what sort of shape is it? Does it have a smooth, lobed or serrated edge? Is it textured at all? You may also find fallen cones, fruits, nuts, twigs or branches on the ground that can inch you closer and closer to making a positive ID. Always remember however, that all of… […]

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Red Squirrel Rambles

…Hazlehead Park, Aberdeen | North East Scotland Take a stroll through formal gardens, woodland and nature trails on the lookout for signs of squirrels.   Duration: 50 Minutes Facilities: Parking, Public Toilets Public Transport Available Nearby: Yes Difficulty: Easy Wilderness Ranking: 1/3   Atholl Estates’ Glen Tilt, Blair Atholl | Tayside Explore historic woodland on the beautiful at Atholl Estates’… […]

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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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How can mathematical modelling help save red squirrels in Scotland?

…Fleet basin stronghold (Dumfries & Galloway) the model predicted that the exclusion of grey squirrels from the stronghold via control would protect red squirrels from replacement in the stronghold. Disease can still spread from greys outside to reds inside the stronghold leading to periodic outbreaks in the red population. These disease outbreaks would lead to a fall in red squirrel… […]

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SNOW DAY!

…I had a blast! I think that an activity like this could even, potentially, work with children. Get out and make one, yourselves, the next time that there’s a big dump of snow! Please post any pictures of your snow squirrels (or their woodland friends) on our Facebook page, after you “like” it: https://www.facebook.com/SavingScotlandsRedSquirrels While you’re out there, keep an… […]

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New Frontiers for Volunteers

…New Mexico, I’ve come home to see what I can do here in Scotland to help our native wildlife survive against threats of foreign diseases and invasive species. In Sweden I studied conservation biology and became especially interested in disease ecology, invasive species and wildlife management. I then moved from Sweden to a field station in New Mexico to work… […]

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This Year's Sightings