Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels

@scotsquirrels

Transforming hope for Scotland's red squirrels. Partnership project led by @ScotWildlife. Funded by @NatureScot and @ScotGovNetZero's #NatureRestorationFund

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Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· 1d

We’re hiring a Monitoring and Control Officer based in the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and Stirlingshire. Find out more and apply here: scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/job/monitori... 📷 Raymond Leinster

A red squirrel in a forest surrounded by tall ferns.

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· 4d

We’re running a workshop as part of NESBiP’s Aberdeen City BioBlitz at The James Hutton Institute on Friday 14 August. Come along to pick up some ID tips, learn about our monitoring methods and find out the best places to spot red squirrels in the city. Book your slot here: buff.ly/IxNNkcQ

A red squirrel on a wooden feeder box on a tree.

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· 8d

We're delighted to announce that we have received nearly £2 million from The Scottish Government's Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot! Read more about what that funding will allow us to do for red squirrels: scottishsquirrels.org.uk/2026/08/03/n... 📷 Keilidh Ewan

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· 11d

With almost all grey squirrels now removed from Aberdeen City, read our new blog to find out what day-to-day life looks like for our North East team, and how they stay motivated when there’s (hopefully!) nothing to find… scottishsquirrels.org.uk/2026/07/31/l... 📷 Raymond Leinster

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· 18d

Did you know red squirrels have four fingers and five toes? And they can be left or right handed! 📷 Mark Chambers

A close up of a red squirrel's back foot, with five toes gripping onto a tree trunk.

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· 25d

Here's what our squirrel sightings map looks like halfway through the year! If you've spotted a red or grey squirrel, particularly in the areas without many dots, let us know! You can add your squirrels to our map here: scottishsquirrels.org.uk/squirrel-sig...

A map of Scotland with red and grey dots showing red and grey squirrel sightings.

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· Jul 6

Following recent reports of a sick red squirrel in Dollar, Clackmannanshire, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies have confirmed via post-mortem that it was suffering from squirrelpox. 1/3 📷 Sarah MacDonald-Smart

A red squirrel on the grassy verge of a stone track. It has lesions around its eyes, symptomatic of squirrelpox.

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· Jun 19

We now have a number of sightings of sick red squirrels in Dollar, which we suspect to be squirrelpox. We have not yet had this confirmed by post mortem, but a recent video captured shows a red with symptoms of squirrelpox and we have ruled out some other likely causes, including leprosy.

A red squirrel with lesions on its face indicating potential squirrelpox.

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· Jun 15

Red squirrels have double-jointed ankles so they can turn their feet all the way around – useful for going down trees head first! 📷 Raymond Leinster

A red squirrel coming down a tree head first!

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· Jun 12

Did you know grey squirrels cause damage to trees through bark stripping? If you manage land you can help build a picture of where they are having the biggest impact, and which types of woodland are most at risk. Find out how to survey for grey squirrel damage here: buff.ly/28mTIVM 📷 Katie Berry

A tree with a big patch of bark missing.

A big old tree with many patches of missing bark around the base.

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· Jun 8

It's not just squirrels who visit our feeder boxes! Check out this clip of a badger having a wee snack in central Aberdeen! Thanks to our volunteer, Janice, who sent this in.

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· Jun 3

This week is #VolunteersWeek! So many incredible volunteers support our project, and we wouldn't be able to do what we do without you. Whether you monitor feeder boxes, verify sightings, manage data or lead events, you're making a real difference for red squirrels in Scotland. 📷 Steve Gardner

A red squirrel with a speech bubble that says "Thank you!"

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· Jun 2

Brand new role in the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrel team! We’re recruiting a Community Outreach Officer in the Highland Line, based out of our Blairgowrie office and working across the Central lowlands and Southern Highlands. Find out more and apply here: buff.ly/K081ofA

An SSRS staff member leading a guided walk for a group of people through lush green woodland.

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· May 22

Heading out for an adventure this long weekend? Don't forget to record any red or grey squirrels you see on our website: buff.ly/6Xv6m5m 📷 Keilidh Ewan

A grey squirrel peeping its head around the side of a tree.

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· May 20

We have an exciting opportunity to join our team as Project Support Officer! We are seeking an organised and motivated individual with a passion for nature, to be part of a team making a real difference in wildlife conservation. Find out more and apply here by 7 June: buff.ly/sOykfCw 📷 Bob Shand

A red squirrel surrounded by lush green leaves.

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· May 19

We’re recruiting a new full-time Grey Squirrel Control Officer in South West Scotland! This is a key area for red squirrel conservation so we are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic person to join our team. Click here for more information and how to apply: buff.ly/OzL9yC4 📷 Katie Berry

A car in the Tweedy Valley, a landscape with rolling hills and tree cover.

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· May 18

We've recently welcomed Rachel as our new Community Coordination and Outreach Officer in Aberdeen! Learn more about Rachel and what she's looking forward to in her new role here: scottishsquirrels.org.uk/2026/05/18/a...

Rachel smiling at the camera with a rhino in the background.

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· May 13

We were delighted to be sent this clip of a red squirrel on a second floor balcony in Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen! We're hearing more and more reports of red squirrels in residential gardens and urban parks across the city, fantastic signs of their comeback!

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· May 11

Start your week off with a bit of brain training! Can you spot the squirrelly words hidden in our word search?

A word search with squirrel-related words hidden in it.

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· May 8

Have you spotted any young red squirrels out and about yet this year? 📷 Alex Elliott

A young red squirrel holding a hazelnut, surrounded by bluebells.

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· May 6

Here's a red squirrel drinking from a pond to brighten up your Wednesday! Thanks to Liz C for sending this in 🧡

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· Apr 30

We’re on track to achieve what could be the world’s first mainland urban eradication of an invasive mammal! Read more about our Eradication Project in Aberdeen City here: scottishsquirrels.org.uk/2026/04/30/g...

A map of Aberdeen with different management zones, colour coordinated to show which phase they're in.

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· Apr 21

We're speaking at the Scottish Forestry's 'Scottish Forest & Wood-based Industries' regional meeting in Aberdeen, hosted by Confor, on Thursday 23 April. If you work in the industry or just have an interest in forestry be sure to book your ticket here: buff.ly/NL2DV32 📷Raymond Leinster

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· Apr 20

This week is #NationalMammalWeek! Here is a cryptic picture of our favourite mammal... can you work out what it could be? 📷 Harry Morgan

A blurry picture of a reddish brown mammal!

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· Apr 13

We're delighted with the progress our scent detection dogs have made in Aberdeen already this year! 🐾 Between January and March they carried out 27 surveys across 20 sites, which is 53 hours and 46 minutes of sniffing, covering 90.54 km searching for signs of grey squirrels! 📷 Libby Welbourn

Tarka the dog sitting next to a large tree with a ball in her mouth.

Sika the dog with her front paws up the side of a tree, sniffing the air. James from SSRS is watching from the side.

Sika with her front paws up the side of a tree, posing for the camera in a bright orange harness.

Sika the dog and Abi from SSRS smiling for the camera.

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· Apr 12

What a treat to see this red squirrel busy gathering nesting materials! Thank you to Vicki Swan for sharing these fantastic images with us.

A red squirrel in a tree with a bundle of dry grasses and twigs in its mouth.

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· Apr 10

From red squirrel face masks to colouring in sheets, we've got lots of craft ideas and activities you can do with your little ones! Check them out - buff.ly/OJ97RZ6

A black and white colouring in sheet with a picture of a red squirrel, covered in detailed patterns.

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· Apr 7

Did you spot any red or grey squirrels while you were out looking for eggs this weekend? 🥚 Let us know when and where you saw them on our website: scottishsquirrels.org.uk/squirrel-sig... 📷 Jo Foo

An adult and a child in a woodland, looking up into the trees.

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· Mar 27

One thing that everyone can do to help red squirrel conservation is report your sightings of both reds and greys on the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels website. It’s really easy to do, and every sighting counts! Report your sightings here: buff.ly/KEWqRph 📷 Cameron Singh-Johnstone

A person wearing a Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels fleece holds up a phone to the camera. The phone screen shows the SSRS website open to the 'Report a Squirrel Sighting' page.

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels@scotsquirrels· Mar 25

Thank you to Rachel Louise for sending us this image of a very dark red squirrel at Morton Lochs. This is a great example of how varied red squirrels can be, some even looking like a grey squirrel they're so dark!