Red squirrels are returning to some former haunts around Aberdeen!

The Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels project has been receiving reports from householders in Bieldside and Cults who have seen red squirrels in their gardens for the first time ever. Visitors to Hazlehead Park have also been delighted by sightings of red squirrels.

Project Officer Stephen Willis said:

“We get reports of squirrels from the public all the time – by phone, email, and via our squirrel reporting page on the Scottish Wildlife Trust website, and one regular visitor to Hazlehead reported seeing the first red ‘in over 40 years’!

“Our own survey work – as well as that of Aberdeen City Council Rangers – has always picked up a few reds around Hazlehead but it’s great to hear that members of the public are beginning to see them for themselves.

“This goes to show that the work SSRS has been doing to find our more about where the squirrels are in the Northeast and to counter the further spread of the greys, has been making a difference. If we manage to remove grey squirrels from Aberdeenshire entirely we can potentially secure a long-term future for the red squirrel both here and in the Highlands.”

Trapping has been carried out across the region by private estates and SSRS staff and over the last couple of years has helped reduce the numbers of grey squirrels. Householders across the region have also helped by taking part in the SSRS trap loan scheme, siting live traps in gardens throughout the city and suburbs. SSRS staff dispose of greys and reds can be quickly and harmlessly released.

A Bieldside resident is one such volunteer. “We’ve had a trap for less than a year and have caught numerous grey squirrels. We are lucky enough to have red squirrels in the garden too- they sometimes go in the trap but the SSRS staff have shown us a simple and quick way to release them. This summer we saw our first reds in over 30 years living here!”

Juliet Thornton of Cults was delighted to look out to her garden last week and see a red squirrel.

“We are also absolutely thrilled with our new little friend. He is now here every morning for his peanuts. I never thought I would ever have the privilege of seeing these beautiful little creatures so close and for so long.”

Stephen Willis added:

“We are gathering data – from trapping and surveys – that will hopefully confirm what the public are reporting – that the red squirrel is doing well here and will expand its range if grey squirrels are removed.

“We have good coverage around lower Deeside but need more help to gather more information around the Bridge of Don, Dyce, and Inverurie areas.

“Click here to report sightings of both red and grey squirrels on our reporting page.”

 

Notes to Editors

• Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels aims to stop the decline of red squirrel populations in key areas of Scotland north of the Central Belt and to improve conditions for viable red squirrel populations across Scotland.  It is a partnership project between the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland and the Scottish Land and Estates.

• The Scottish Wildlife Trust is a registered charity. It is the largest voluntary body working for all the wildlife of Scotland, representing more than 30,000 members who care for wildlife and the environment. SWT seeks to raise public awareness of threatened habitats and species and manages over 120 wildlife reserves Scotland-wide www.scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk

• Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is the Scottish Government’s statutory advisor on the conservation, enhancement, enjoyment, understanding and sustainable use of the natural heritage. For further information on SNH, please visit www.snh.org.uk.  SNH is a funding partner of the project. 

• Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) serves as the forestry directorate of the Scottish Government, advising on and implementing forestry policy and managing the national forest estate.  FCS is ensuring that the national forest estate plays its part in delivering the aims of project Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels. FCS is a funding partner of the project

• The Scottish Land and Estates (SLE) is the leading representative body for all land and rural property owners and land-based businesses in Scotland.  It is a membership organisation comprising rural entrepreneurs, individuals and businesses that operate in rural Scotland.  www.scottishlandandestates.co.uk

• In addition to financial support from the project partners, the 2nd phase of the SSRS project in Tayside has been specifically funded by Rural Tayside LEADER.

• Red Squirrels in South Scotland Project (RSSS) is the sister project tonow part of SSRS – working to stem the spread of pox carrying grey squirrels in south Scotland for the protection of red squirrels.  Squirrelpox is a virus fatal to red squirrels but harmless to the grey squirrels which carry and spread it.  Grey squirrels migrating north from Cumbria are bringing squirrelpox to Scotland.  The work of RSSS is therefore essential to Scotland’s red squirrel population as a whole and to maintain southern Scotland as a stronghold for our native red. RSSS has been conducting and promoting grey squirrel control since 2000. www.redsquirrels.org.uk.