Spotting the elusive Scottish Red Squirrel

Original Author: Lorna Hutchison If you’ve yet to set eyes on a Scottish Red Squirrel, here’s a wee guide to help increase your chances!   Go north. Or south. Those of us living in the densely populated central belt have a choice to make. There are populations of red squirrels in the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway but personally, I’d… […]

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How can we reduce road deaths?

Original Author: Kate Thomson We field numerous enquiries each year about what we can do to reduce red squirrel casualties on our roads. It’s not a simple issue to tackle, but here are our thoughts.   The problem Have you ever seen a red squirrel dead on the side of the road? According to the Peoples Trust for Endangered Species… […]

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News: Appeal to Kincardineshire residents to help protect Aberdeenshire’s red squirrel

  Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is asking Kincardineshire residents to help protect red squirrel populations by reporting all sightings of red squirrels and their non-native cousin, the grey squirrel.   Grey squirrels are known to occur sporadically in low numbers between the Rivers South Esk and North Esk, the latter forming a natural boundary between Angus and Aberdeenshire. Growing numbers… […]

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News: Public squirrel sightings soar in 2023

  Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels has released the results of its fifth annual Great Scottish Squirrel Survey, revealing that 2023 public participation was the second highest since its inception, beating all previous years, bar the record-breaking pandemic lockdown year of 2020. According to the survey, which was conducted between the 2nd and 8th of October and asked for the… […]

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News: Squirrelpox threatens red squirrels across Dumfries & Galloway’s Solway coast

  Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels has confirmed that a squirrelpox outbreak is spreading along the Solway coast. Locals are urged to remain vigilant as this fatal disease could have serious consequences for the area’s red squirrel populations. In recent weeks at least 15 red squirrels have died as a result of squirrelpox, with more sick squirrels spotted across an area… […]

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News: Dumfries residents can help red squirrels by hosting a trap in their garden

  A local Red Squirrel Group is calling on Dumfries residents to help protect the town’s red squirrels by taking part in a grey squirrel trap-loan scheme. The Lower Nithsdale Red Squirrel Group, in partnership with Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, is asking residents to join a trap-loan scheme that will help prevent Dumfries from becoming a “grey squirrel town”. Participants… […]

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New sightings signal red squirrels’ return to Aberdeen city parks and gardens

  For the first time in many years, red squirrels have been spotted at Aberdeen’s James Hutton Institute and near the University of Aberdeen— a promising sign that this charismatic species is making a comeback in the city. © Raymond Leinster There have been three significant red squirrel sightings in recent weeks: one on the grounds of the James Hutton… […]

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North East Scotland

North East Scotland Eradicating grey squirrels and bringing red squirrels back to the parks and gardens of Aberdeen The grey squirrel population in Aberdeen city is considered an “island population” due to it’s geographic and genetic isolation from the rest of mainland Britain’s grey squirrel population. The species was introduced to Aberdeen city in what is believed to be a… […]

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Call for Scots to become a nation of squirrel spotters this Red Squirrel Week

  This Red Squirrel Week (24-30 September) the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) project is calling on Scots to lend a hand by recording sightings of red and grey squirrels in their local area.   The project has created a new online Hub where people all over Scotland can help protect one of the UK’s most threatened species by reporting… […]

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This Year's Sightings