Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels

If you suspect the animal is suffering, please call the Scottish SPCA on 03000 999 999.

A red squirrel in a tree, holding a piece of food. It looks very unwell, with a big scab over most of its face.

If you spot a red squirrel with potential signs of squirrelpox, please send photos to squirrels@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk

The virus produces weeping lesions around the face, feet and genitalia. Infected red squirrels are lethargic and unable to feed properly.

📷 William Lee

A red squirrel which is very dark in colour at the base of a tree.

A close up image of a grey squirrel showing a white ‘halo’ of hair around the tail.

At this time of year red and grey squirrels can look quite similar. Red squirrels will generally be smaller than greys, and have solid colour tails, where greys have a white “halo” along the length of the tail.

📷 Bob Coyle, Alex West

A map of Aberdeenshire showing only red dots to indicate red squirrel sightings, with one grey pin at Oldmeldrum representing a grey squirrel reported on 29/7/2025.

📣 Possible sighting of a grey squirrel on the golf course at Meldrum House Hotel Golf Club, Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire.

Please keep your eye out in this are and let us know if you spot any squirrels, red or grey, on our website: scottishsquirrels.org.uk/squirrel-sightings/

POV: you're a squirrel feeder box in a beautiful woodland in the North East of Scotland.

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

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for squirrels this weekend! All sightings of red and grey squirrels are really important for giving us a good picture of their populations in Scotland.

Submit your sightings here: buff.ly/sQIpq5i

📷 Bob Coyle

A red squirrel drinking from still water, with a perfect reflection.

It’s time to submit your red squirrel photos for our next social media header image!

We’ve loved looking at this wonderful shot by Keith Kirk in July, and hope you have too!

If you’ve got a photo you think should be our header image for August, drop it in the replies.

A red squirrel perched on a fence post, looking inquisitive.

We’re recruiting for a new Conservation Lead to join our team in the Highland Line! Click here for more information about this exciting role and apply before 4 August: buff.ly/oL509HT

📷 Brian Alexander

A map of Forres with red dots representing red squirrel sightings, and three grey pins representing grey squirrel sightings. The grey pins are dated 29/1/2025, 16/5/2025 and 19/7/2025.

Suspected grey squirrel sighting in Forres! If you’re in the area please keep an eye out and let us know if you spot a grey squirrel: scottishsquirrels.org.uk/squirrel-sightings/

More reports help us verify where any greys are in the area.

A red squirrel looking alert.

We’re running some updates on our website on 30 and 31 July, which means it might be unavailable at points during the day. If you can’t access it, please try again in a little while, or come back on 1 August!

📷 Bob Coyle

A red squirrel running up the side of a tree with a mushroom in its mouth.

The same red squirrel perching on a branch with the mushroom, ready to eat it.

Did you know squirrels eat mushrooms? While we might typically think of only them eating nuts, squirrels have a very varied diet! They’ll either nibble fungi on the ground, or grab the whole thing for a takeaway meal, just like this one, spotted by volunteer Steve Nickerson!

A red squirrel on a fallen branch, surrounded by vibrant green plants.

Deciding where to go for your weekend wander? How about visiting @scotwildlife.bsky.social's Loch of the Lowes wildlife reserve and keeping an eye out for red squirrels? We’d love to know if you see any there!

Plan your visit: scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/loch...

📷 Raymond Leinster

A red squirrel on a mossy stump holding a nut. Text reads "We're working on it!"

You may have noticed some changes to the way the map feature on our sightings page looks, or be experiencing some problems with loading it. Don’t panic, you can still submit your sightings, and this is a temporary issue.

Read more about what we're doing:
scottishsquirrels.org.uk/2025/07/15/s...

A red squirrel balancing on a metal post, stretching out to reach a wire cage feeder filled with food.

Feeding red squirrels can be so rewarding. But it is important to make sure we aren’t causing more harm than good. Check out our tips for offering a varied diet, feeder hygiene, and whether you should be feeding at all in your area: scottishsquirrels.org.uk/wp-content/u...

📷Philipbird123

Four maps of Aberdeen from 2009, 2017, 2021 and 2024, with red dots indicating red squirrel sightings. The first map from 2009 has only a few red squirrel sightings, with more red dots on each subsequent map.

Earlier this week we celebrated our work so far this year in Aberdeen, but how did we get to this stage? Read today’s blog for the story of red squirrels in the North East, and how a whole community has come together to protect them. scottishsquirrels.org.uk/2025/07/11/t...

A grey squirrel on grass.

Calling all Aberdeen residents! We’ve confirmed a sighting of a grey squirrel in the east side of Duthie Park. It's been seen between the yard and the play area by the Riverside Drive car park.

Please keep an eye out and report any sightings here: scottishsquirrels.org.uk/squirrel-sightings/

Our work here is only possible with the collaborative efforts of Aberdeen City Council, volunteers and residents. Thank you to everyone who has helped us carry out this vital work.

A red squirrel on a mossy branch.

Numbers of grey squirrels in Aberdeen have fallen significantly, we’re so close to restoring the city to the red squirrel haven it used to be.

Halfway through 2025 and we’ve only caught one grey, after catching 6 in 2024.

Read more: scottishsquirrels.org.uk/2025/07/08/n...

📷 Raymond Leinster

Members of the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels team are standing next to a table with branded materials, tablecloth and gazebo. They are wearing SSRS clothing and one person is wearing a giant red squirrel costume!

We’re all set up at @gwct.org.uk Scottish Game Fair today! Drop by and see us to chat about all things squirrel!

A map showing the North East of Scotland, with three grey squirrel sightings highlighted.

We are looking into a few more suspected grey squirrel sightings in the North East. Reports have come in from Ellon Castle, Dunnottar Woods and Allenvale Cemetery.
If you live around these areas please report any grey squirrels to our website: scottishsquirrels.org.uk/squirrel-sightings/

A photo of a path through autumn woodland. Red and grey squirrels have been edited into the image, hidden amongst the trees. Six red squirrels are in the image, now highlighted by orange circles. Five grey squirrels are circled in grey.

The answer to yesterday’s challenge is:
Six red squirrels
Five grey squirrels

If you enjoyed taking on our challenge, why not go squirrel spotting on your next walk, and tell us what you see here: buff.ly/1PGH3mV

A photo of a path through autumn woodland. Red and grey squirrels have been edited into the image, hidden amongst the trees.

Challenge time! How many red and grey squirrels can you spot in this image? Let us know your guesses in the comments, and we’ll share the answer tomorrow.

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

With school summer holidays just around the corner, you might be planning some adventures in Scotland with your family. If you spot any red or grey squirrels while you explore, don’t forget to let us know about them!

Submit your sightings here: buff.ly/1PGH3mV

📷 Jo Foo

A map of all squirrel sighting in and around Aberdeen in the last year. Almost all the dots are red, representing red squirrels. There a few grey dots representing grey squirrels. One of these is highlighted as being from 20/6/2025.

Calling all Aberdeen residents! We’ve confirmed a rare sighting of a grey squirrel in Kincorth. Please keep your eyes out in the area and across the city, and let us know if you spot any grey squirrels. If you do, report it as soon as possible here: scottishsquirrels.org.uk/squirrel-sightings/

Our current social media header. A red squirrel poking its face around the side of a large tree trunk.

We’re looking for a new header photo for our social media accounts! Got a brilliant red squirrel photo you’d like to show off? Post it below and we’ll choose one to be our header for July. 🐿️

📷 Raymond Leinster

A red squirrel perched on a tree branch. Woodland, hills, a loch and islands are in the background.

This #WorldRainforestDay we’re thanking our partner, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs
National Park, for their support as we protect native red squirrels in the lovely, licheny, loch-side woodlands!

📷 Bob Shand

Video shows a red squirrel coming in through the open window of a wooden wildlife hide, and then running off.

Scottish Wildlife Trust's Balgavies Loch is a great place to spot red squirrels. Don’t forget that hides work both ways, and you might just end up as the one being watched!

Thanks to Colin Black and the Balgavies Loch Osprey group for this adorable video.

We’re also looking for people in the town who are interested in joining our trap-loan scheme. For more information or to get involved please email squirrels@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk

A map of the area around Dunkeld and Birnam, showing red and grey dots representing squirrel sightings. Five grey dots around Birnam are highlighted, showing the recent dates they were recorded.

Dunkeld and Birnam! With a recent increase in reported grey squirrels in your area, we’re asking you to submit any sightings to our hub: buff.ly/cvi2vp2