All things invasive with the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative

…of these characteristics in combination make successful invasive species formidable opponents to native species – and difficult (and often expensive) to remove or dislodge once established.   Invasive plant control at Spey Bay   What impacts do they have? The most significant impacts invasive species have are on our natural environment where we see; Competition; invasive species are often better… […]

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The Riddle of the Balding Squirrels

Original Author: Mel Tonkin   Why are some squirrels losing so much hair in the spring that parts of them are completely bald? Every year in April to May we get a flurry of queries relating to red squirrels that have lost large parts of their coat, leaving large areas of their body totally hairless. Often it looks like the… […]

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Red squirrels and biosecurity

…than through competition alone. The red squirrel is both an iconic British species and also a delightful component of the Northern British woodland habitat. Many people are therefore keen to do what they can to help maintain their presence. Feeding stations for red squirrels in gardens and in woodlands are often provided to help the reds compete. In certain areas,… […]

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New Frontiers for Volunteers

Original Author: Lorna Hutchison, Volunteer Lorna Hutchison, new volunteer for the Argyll & Trossachs project area, tells us the reasons she has recently started volunteering for the project.   As an undergraduate at university it was the hands-on, practical side of my biology degree that got me into conservation. Now having studied a Master’s degree in Sweden and worked in… […]

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The Spring Moult

…summer coat. For reasons we don’t fully understand this sometimes leaves massive gaps in the animals coat. Besides it leaving the squirrel feeling a bit chilly in places, we are not aware that this causes them any harm. There is always the chance that this is caused or aggravated by parasites like fleas, but it is hard to be certain…. […]

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Community action in Galloway

…progress to date has been made easier through the support of Gatehouse Development Initiative and Cream o’Galloway. We have also received small grants from Red Squirrels in South Scotland, the Murray-Usher Foundation and Gatehouse Community Council (Common Good Fund). Whilst we are grateful for this help, our main asset is the enthusiasm and commitment of our growing force of volunteers…. […]

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This Year's Sightings