Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is running the eighth annual Great Scottish Squirrel Survey next week, and everyone can get involved
Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) is calling on the public to keep their eyes peeled for red and grey squirrels this Red Squirrel Awareness Week. The conservation project is marking the week by running the Great Scottish Squirrel Survey from 5 – 11 October, with the aim of counting as many squirrels as possible across the country.
Last year over 1,500 squirrels were recorded during the event, making it the biggest squirrel survey in Scotland. The data collected is incredibly useful for SSRS partners and stakeholders who carry out widespread conservation work to protect our native red squirrels.
Red squirrels are one of Scotland’s most loved animals, but in recent decades their population has declined due to competition from invasive non-native grey squirrels. Some grey squirrels also carry the deadly squirrelpox virus, so limiting contact between the two species is vital to protect red squirrels.
SSRS is a partnership project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, working with local communities, landowners and partner organisations to protect red squirrels in areas where they are most under threat from greys. Staff and volunteers carry out monitoring and control to reduce grey squirrel numbers in priority red squirrel habitats, using public sightings to track squirrel presence.
Molly Martin, SSRS Communications and Engagement Officer for the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: “Anyone can be a red squirrel conservationist, just by submitting a squirrel sighting to our website. The information we get from members of the public all year round is so helpful, and the Great Scottish Squirrel Survey provides a snapshot of where red and grey squirrels are being seen at one of their most active times of year. This helps us understand how population distributions are changing as a result of our work. Every sighting of both red and grey squirrels is important, and we hope that people will enjoy spending time outside looking for squirrels too!”
This year SSRS has teamed up with Walkhighlands to deliver the Great Scottish Squirrel Survey, encouraging walkers and hikers to keep an eye in the trees as they explore Scotland this week.
Paul Webster, Co-founder of Walkhighlands said: “Catching sight of a red squirrel while we’re out and about is always a thrill and makes us feel incredibly lucky. We’ll be reporting any sightings and hope that as many people as possible do the same which will help with the conservations of these cheery creatures.”
Squirrels spotted anywhere in the country, from back gardens and busy urban areas, to the more remote parts of Scotland, can be reported to SSRS via scottishsquirrels.org.uk/squirrel-sightings. These directly inform conservation action on the ground by helping staff, volunteers and partners understand how the distribution of each species is changing over time, where efforts should be prioritised, and alerting the project to situations where grey squirrels are posing an immediate threat.
Several events are running across the country as part of the Great Scottish Squirrel Survey, and the project is also encouraging the public to carry out their own squirrel watches, visit self-guided trails or just notice squirrels while they’re out and about.
Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is a partnership project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and supported by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot.