…squirrels south of the border. We now know that squirrelpox is likely to have spread to all grey squirrel populations in south Scotland. Despite these challenges, red squirrels are still holding on strong in many parts of Dumfries & Galloway and the western Scottish Borders. The main aim here is to prevent the further spread of squirrelpox, by keeping grey… […]
…control activities in the area. This will pave the way for a long-term southward shift of the current “Highland Line Control Zone” – the 10km zone stretching from Balloch to Montrose and buffering the diagonal Highland Boundary Fault Line, where Scotland’s Highland red-only squirrel population intersects with the most northly reaches of grey squirrels incurring from the Lowlands. These new… […]
…line, where the grey squirrels of the Central Belt meet Scotland’s core red squirrel populations in the Highlands. It’s therefore crucial that we prevent the greys from spreading any further north, and that their numbers are reduced to allow nearby red populations to recolonise the area. Our data shows that red squirrels completely disappeared from Loch Lomond’s western shore except… […]
…a disease spread by fleas and brought from Europe. So there’s fair bit of somewhat unexpected symmetry between my work in New Mexico and what I’m getting into here in Scotland volunteering with SSRS. It’s a fantastic opportunity to be involved in this project and it’ll be really exciting to finally get this field season underway. My hope is that… […]
…highly invasive grey squirrel could also spread further into the Grampians and the Highlands, threatening Scotland’s largest populations of red squirrels. Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is encouraging people to report sightings of both red and grey squirrels online. The project is also looking for volunteers in the area to support its vital conservation work. Sarah Woodfin, Monitoring Officer, North East… […]
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… […]
…the last year. We have been blown away by the enthusiasm and commitment that volunteers have shown throughout this difficult time. Creativity is one thing that certainly hasn’t been restricted, as we’ve witnessed Red Squirrel Network Groups adapt and rise to the challenge – from producing calendars for raising funds, to engaging with local schools and sharing educational activities online…. […]
…as soon as possible (with a 10 figure grid reference for each trap or a detailed location description). Where traps are currently set, our staff will endeavour to secure them shut if at all possible. This was not an easy decision to make. Together we have made great strides in recent years, and we are fully aware that this could… […]
…red squirrel populations across most of England, Wales and Scotland’s Central Belt. Grey squirrels can also carry squirrelpox, a virus that doesn’t harm them but is deadly to reds. One of the project’s key aims is to build a network of local volunteers in priority areas across the south of Scotland, where healthy red squirrel populations are surrounded by greys… […]
