Red Squirrels
Scotland’s red squirrels have been declining at an alarming rate. The greatest, single threat to the species is the continued spread of the non-native grey squirrel, both because of competition for food and shelter, and transmission of the squirrelpox virus. Urgent action is needed to stop this reducing the red squirrels to extinction over the next 50 to 100 years.
A public consultation has been launched inviting views on a proposal for targeted grey squirrel control to support red squirrel conservation. Click here to obtain further details on the consultation, and how to obtain a copy of the document.
Scottish Squirrel Strategy
Scotland supports 75% of the UK's red squirrel population. This species
is facing a number of threats, including competition from the grey squirrel,
conflicting management objectives for woodland habitats, deforestation for
developments and disease. The Scottish
Strategy 
for Red
Squirrel Conservation provides a framework for supporting long-term red
squirrel conservation in Scotland in the face of these threats
Scottish Squirrel Survey
SNH also supports the Scottish Squirrel Survey which is seeking records of
squirrel sightings across the country. If you would like to contribute to
this, information on the project and local group contacts is available in
the Survey
leaflet and a records
may be returned, by Freepost, using the Recording
leaflet .
Scottish Red Squirrel Action Plan 2006-2011
A conference on Red squirrel conservation in Scotland was hosted by Scottish Natural Heritage in February 2006 and was attended by 140 delegates. At this conference the Deputy Minister for the Environment and Rural Development, Ms Rhona Brankin MSP, requested the preparation of an integrated, effective and costed Action Plan to address the threats facing the species. The Scottish Red Squirrel Action Plan 2006-2011 was subsequently prepared by a Working Group comprising Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland and officials of The Scottish Executive. This seeks to address the main threats to the species from 1) the spread of grey squirrels and the associated squirrelpox virus; 2) the need to for monitoring to detect and measure any changes in red and grey squirrel populations and 3) the preparation and implementation of guidance for habitat management to favour red squirrels over the non-native grey squirrels.
The
Plan sets out four
levels of potential management, recommending one of these as the best overall
balance of red squirrel conservation, woodland management objectives and value
for money.
Publications
- Commissioned Report Series -
Identification of priority woodlands for red squirrel conservation in North and Central Scotland: a preliminary analysis - Naturally Scottish series -
Red Squirrels - Education and Teacher resources series -
All about Red Squirrels
Links
- Ayrshire red squirrel group
- Highland Red Squirrel Group
- Fife Red Squirrel Group
- Forestry Commission
- Forestry and Timber Association
- Red Squirrels in South Scotland projec
- The Scottish Wildlife Trust
- Scottish Squirrel Survey
- Dundee Red Squirrels
- Angus Red Squirrels
- Perth & Kinross Red Squirrels
Find out 'All About' the red squirrel in the education series pack