Red squirrel conservationists have reported a growing confidence in their bid to protect Scotland’s remaining red squirrel populations, it was announced today (16 May 2011).
The announcement comes as Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS), the largest coordinated project to protect red squirrels in Scotland, marked its second year in operation recently.
Mel Tonkin, SSRS Project Manager, said: “This project is the first strategic approach to red squirrel conservation ever to be attempted in Scotland. By channeling resources to priority areas in our aim to protect red squirrels by halting the spread of grey squirrels, we are making encouraging progress.
“Most excitingly, since the start of the project, red squirrel sightings are being reported to us more frequently in some areas, such as Dunkeld, Meigle and Alyth, and red squirrels have also been spotted in other areas, like Stoneywood near Aberdeen, for the first time.
“Another encouraging achievement in the last two years has been our success in setting up networks of local landowners working to control grey squirrels in target zones. More than 300 landowners are now involved with our project, helping us maintain larger control boundaries and monitor squirrel distribution.
“We have also helped many of these landowners receive funding from the Scottish Rural Development Programme.”
Jonny Hughes, the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Director of Conservation, added: “This project has forged positive partnerships between land managers and conservationists, so we now have a coordinated approach to red squirrel conservation. We hope that the partnerships established through this project will provide a lasting legacy and continue to protect red squirrels in these areas.”
As recommended by Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, some of the best places to see red squirrels include Carnie Woods near Aberdeen, Haddo House, Queen Elizabeth Forest near Aberfoyle, and Blair Atholl in Perthshire, but there are many woods across the Highlands, particularly in the Strathspey area where you are likely to catch a glimpse of them.
SSRS is a partnership project between Scottish Wildlife Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland, and the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA).