Grampian remains safe haven for red squirrels
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Grampian continues to be a haven for red squirrels who remain under threat elsewhere in Scotland from their grey cousins.
Results from the latest Great Scottish Squirrel Survey show no reported sightings of greys anywhere in Moray, Aberdeenshire or the Highlands.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust conducted the annual survey for the forth time in October last year.
Members of the public were asked to report sightings of both reds and greys over the course of a particular week.
A total of 659 people took part in the survey, with 255 grey squirrel and 510 red squirrel sightings reported in total.
The survey confirmed that the red-only population in the north of Scotland remains safe thanks to efforts by staff protecting the Highland Boundary Fault Line.
It also shows that concerted work in Aberdeen has been very successful, with reds returning and grey numbers significantly decreasing in the city.
In South Scotland a mix of the two species remains, but volunteers are working hard to keep numbers of grey squirrels low in this region.
Red squirrels are the UK's native species.
Grey squirrels were introduced here from North America by the Victorians. The first record of them escaping and establishing a wild population is 1876.
Squirrel pox is fatal to reds but is carried by greys without causing them any harm.
The virus has led to the loss of red squirrels from much of Ireland, England, and Wales.
Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is a partnership project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and supported by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Nicole Still, programme manager for Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels said: "We are deeply grateful to all volunteers and members of the public for submitting their sightings during the 2022 Great Scottish Squirrel Survey.
"Sightings of both species are vital as we work across the country, collaborating with partners and stakeholders to help save the iconic red squirrel from its main threat, the non-native grey squirrel.
"We strongly encourage people to continue to report sightings with us, just this small act of citizen participation can make a big difference to our efforts."
Sightings can be reported year-round at scottishsquirrels.org.uk/squirrel-sightings.
