News & Events
News
Bivolino support Red Squirrels in South Scotland
Red Squirrels in South Scotland are grateful for the support of the clothing manufacturer Bivolino who have kindly donated £500 towards red squirrel conservation in southern Scotland.
Red Squirrels Return To Hawick After 20 Years!
Red squirrels have returned to Hawick in the Scottish Borders. Guests at the Mansefield House Hotel have been seeing red squirrels again for the first time
in 20 years. Residents in nearby areas have also noticed the return of the red squirrel.
The Red Squirrels in South Scotland grey squirrel control officers have been conducting intensive daily control in the grounds of the hotel and surrounding area for about 2 years now and are starting to move closer to the centre of Hawick itself. The return of red squirrels is a wonderful event as it shows just how quickly red squirrels can make a come-back if the pressure from grey squirrels is reduced. It is our hope that with enough support from the residents
of Hawick and surrounding land owners we will once again see red squirrels in the parks and gardens of the town within a year or two.
Red squirrels are also present on properties around Hawick and all these properties are controlling greys. The manager of Hoscote Estate on the edge of Craik Forest has been hugely supportive of our efforts and has been controlling grey squirrels on the property for some time. Three years ago staff and guests at Hoscote House hardly ever saw a red, now the red squirrels are seen around the estate and main house every day.
(Photo by Ian MacKinnon of the actual red squirrel seen at the Mansefield House Hotel)
SRDP Funding Success
Twenty six landowners in south Scotland have received Scottish Rural Development Program (SRDP) funding to carry out grey squirrel control over 133,000ha of land! The RSSS project officers and grey squirrel control officers (GSCO) focused their recruitment efforts at landowners located along seropositive (pox carrying) grey squirrel incursion routes from England and pox virus outbreak areas. The principal aim in obtaining this funding was to help stop the spread of the deadly Squirrelpox virus. We are pleased to report that landowners throughout south Scotland are demonstrating an outstanding commitment to the eradication of grey squirrels for the protection of our native reds. With the combined efforts of the GSCO's, the SRDP funding recipients, the Forestry Commission GSCO's and the many invaluable volunteers in our trap loan scheme, we can give the red squirrels a real fighting chance at a long term future in south Scotland!
New Red Squirrel Road Sign on New Abbey to
Beeswing Road
A new red squirrel road sign has been erected on the New Abbey to Beeswing Road thanks to the Dumfries and Galloway Council and the efforts of the pupils at New Abbey Primary School. The new sign was erected in January and staff and students from the school are now hoping that drivers will take notice of the sign and slow down for red squirrels crossing the road!
Immune Response Not Immunity
The discovery during post mortem of a small number of red squirrels (8) that were able to develop antibodies to the Squirrelpox virus has been much in the news of late. The study carried out by Dr Tony Sainsbury of the Zoological Society of London gives hope to the future success of the program to develop an antivirus to the deadly Squirrelpox virus which is wiping out our native red squirrel.
Antibodies are formed by the bodies attempt to fight a disease. The presence of antibodies does not imply immunity to the disease as the press have been keen to suggest, it merely shows that the bodies immune system was able to begin fighting the virus. Usually red squirrels die before they are able to mount an immune response.
The Squirrelpox virus has been present in England since grey squirrels were introduced from America 132 years ago and in that time resource competition and disease have managed to wipe out almost all of England’s red squirrels. The knowledge that a few reds were able to fight the virus is the first evidence that the use of a vaccine may be an effective tool to protect our remaining red squirrel populations.
The Moredun International Virus Surveillance Unit and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Medicine, supported by Red Squirrels in South Scotland are working to develop a future vaccine. It is likely to be at least ten to fifteen years before such a vaccine is ready for use so in the mean time it is imperative that we do all we can to ensure the survival of our red squirrels.
36 Red Squirrels Killed on Beeswing to New Abbey Road
The once quiet Beeswing to New Abbey Road is getting busier these days and this has spelt disaster for the local red squirrel population. Since the 1st of October this year 36 red squirrels have been killed on the road, including 21 in the last 23 days. This carnage has been meticulously recorded by local wildlife enthusiast Tracy Whalen of New Abbey who drives the road (slowly!) everyday. Tracy’s children along with their class mates from New Abbey Primary School have written to Dumfries council to request that red squirrel road signs be erected to help warn motorists of the red squirrels in the area. The Primary School students and RSSS would like to urge people to drive slower and look out for wildlife in areas where animals are likely to be near or crossing the road such as where woodland is directly adjacent. Road casualties account for a large number of red squirrel deaths in south Scotland and it is up to everyone to slow down and look out for wildlife.
New Red Squirrels in South Scotland Office Open in Dalbeattie
The D&G office of Red Squirrels in South Scotland (RSSS) has moved from the old premises in Dumfries to a new office in Dalbeattie. Given the large red squirrel population present in the forests and woodlands around the town, it is proving to be a perfect new base. The new office is located at Unit A, Mill Isle Dalbeattie and the new phone number is 01556 610 051. RSSS also have an office in Galashiels in the Scottish Borders. See the contacts page for how to get in touch.
Events
Red Squirrel Talk - Coldingham, Scottish Borders - Sunday September 20th
Coldingham Village Hall, 2pm.
Richard Wales of RSSS will be giving a talk on red squirrel ecology and conservation in southern Scotland followed by a second talk given by Elizabeth Bamford of the Berwick Squirrel Group. Entrance is free and refreshments will be provided. For further information contact elizabethbamford@aol.com All Welcome!
