Public efforts aiding red squirrel conservation

Members of the Scottish public have aided critical red squirrel conservation efforts by partaking in the sixth annual Great Scottish Squirrel Survey. In a year of mixed fortunes for red squirrels in Scotland, public squirrel sightings have proved more important than ever for work being undertaken by conservationists across the country.

Results from the nationwide Great Scottish Squirrel Survey, which took place between the 30 September and 6 October, show that during the week 1802 people reported over 2500 squirrel sightings, the second highest result to date and a 30% increase from 2023.

Public sightings revealed the success of ongoing conservation efforts to eradicate grey squirrels from Aberdeen, with numerous reports of reds returning to the city and no greys spotted (although it is known they are still present in very small numbers).

Contributions by the public also helped to detect low density grey squirrel incursion northwards in Perthshire and other Lowland areas, aiding conservationists in their efforts to protect the red-only population of the Scottish Highlands – the largest red-only area left in the UK hosting around 80% of Scotland’s native squirrels.

Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) Programme Manager Gail Turney said:

“We are incredibly grateful to every single person who took the time to get outside, explore their local areas, and report sightings of grey and red squirrels to us this year. Public sightings are vital to the work we carry out, and it has been incredibly uplifting to see records coming in from all over the country, with thousands of people responding to the call to help protect one of Scotland’s threatened iconic species.”

Red squirrels are one of Scotland’s most loved animals, and our only native squirrel species. Once widespread throughout the country, in recent decades red squirrel populations have declined due to their replacement by introduced invasive non-native grey squirrels, who outcompete them for food and habitat and spread the deadly squirrelpox virus, which doesn’t harm greys but is fatal to reds.

Sightings of both species can be reported year-round at scottishsquirrels.org.uk/squirrel-sightings and help SSRS staff, volunteers and partners understand how the distribution of each species is changing over time, where efforts should be prioritised.

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.

For further information please contact Katie Berry, kberry@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk, 0131 312 4719 or 07388 994610

Infographic - Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels