The Highland Red Squirrel Group

Red Squirrels have declined drastically in the United Kingdom in the last fifty years.  It is thought this reduction is due to fragmentation of suitable habitats, disease, lack of tree seed food and in some areas, road casualties - but by far the greatest threat to the native Red Squirrels is competition from the non-native Grey Squirrel.

The Scottish Highlands Region had no Grey Squirrels ...... until April 2008 - click here.

This gives us the opportunity to study and protect Red Squirrels without interference or competition from Grey Squirrels. We need a better idea of where Reds occur and an estimate of how many and this information will help us decide upon appropriate management and protection.

The HRSG is working together with other squirrel groups throughout Scotland, within the nationwide framework of the Scottish Squirrel Survey, to raise the profile of the Red Squirrel by increasing public awareness, surveying and monitoring, promoting conservation management plans and looking out for any invasion of Greys.

The Scottish Squirrel Survey
The Scottish Squirrel Survey is charged with establishing a full rolling programme of survey and data collection across Scotland on a three year cycle.

The local organisation and execution of the surveys is envisaged as being the preserve of the Local Squirrel Groups, with the Scottish Squirrel Survey Co-ordinator acting in a supportive role, providing advice and information in order to assist local group programmes.

Initial work is to focus on verifying the records for areas recently identified as potential Priority Woodlands for Red Squirrel Conservation, but also must identify those key sites where control of Grey Squirrels is urgently required to prevent influx into regions as yet free from the species.

The Highland Red Squirrel Refuge Project
The Forestry Commission Scotland manages large areas of public woodland which is Red Squirrel habitat. This land can be used for introducing habitat improvements, involving the public in surveying and monitoring Red Squirrel populations and providing for education and interpretation. Private woodland owners are managing woodlands for the benefit of the Red Squirrel. Both private owners and public owned forests can demonstrate best practice, reinforce core habitat areas, manage strategic connections and corridors from which Grey Squirrels might spread. Grants will be available under the new Land Management Contracts to private landowners for woodland survey and management to benefit Red Squirrels and other priority species.

Highland Red Squirrel Group action plan
The HRSG has produced an Action Plan that aims to deliver the species action plan across Highland Region - the last significant 'Grey-free' refuge of the Red Squirrel. This unique status allows effort to concentrate on consolidating and improving habitat for Red Squirrels as well as watching for the spread of Greys.

The priorities of the Highland action plan include:

1. Promoting the species, raising public awareness of the conservation issues and actively involving people in Red Squirrel surveys, monitoring and conservation. 2. Identifying core Red Squirrel habitats for improved management as well as strategic areas where habitats can be connected or Grey Squirrel movement should be controlled. 3. Advising landowners on Red Squirrel conservation issues and improving habitat management. 4. Monitoring road kills and disease in Red Squirrels and the spread of Greys. 5. Collecting and collating information on squirrels.

You can download the Scottish Strategy for Red Squirrel Conservation as a PDF file from: http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/scottish/squirrel.pdf

Walk and Talk, Carr Bridge, Thursday evening May 22 - click here