Protecting Northern Perthshire’s Red Squirrels

Redsquirrels Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is asking Perthshire residents in the Dunkeld, Aberfeldy and Pitlochry areas to help protect red squirrel populations by reporting sightings of the non-native grey squirrel.
The grey squirrel is a North American species that was first introduced to Britain in the late 1800s to decorate the gardens of large stately homes. They soon expanded their range and subsequently replaced red squirrels in much of England, Wales and parts of Scotland.
Grey squirrels are known to occur in Dunkeld and Birnam, and in lesser numbers, as far north as Dalguise. Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS), a National Lottery-funded partnership project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, have been monitoring squirrel populations across the country since 2009. Recently there has been an increase in squirrel sightings reported in the Dunkeld and Birnam area which has raised concerns that grey squirrels could be dispersing further north towards Pitlochry and Aberfeldy.
The grey squirrel is identifiable from the native red squirrel by its larger build, being almost twice the size of a red squirrel. Unlike the red squirrel, greys never have ear tufts, are predominately grey in colour, with a distinct ‘halo’ or silver fringe around the tail.
The greatest threat that grey squirrels pose is through competition for resources (i.e. food and shelter). The threat is further exacerbated by the risk of Squirrelpox virus - which grey squirrels can carry without any ill effects, however if contracted by red squirrels it is typically fatal since they have no natural immunity.
In Tayside, grey squirrel control is focused along what is known as the ‘Highland line’ – a 10km-wide strip which runs from Montrose, through Kirriemuir, Dunkeld and out to the west. SSRS aim to prevent grey squirrels from becoming established north of this line in order to secure the long-term survival of red squirrels in the Highlands and Grampian.
In recent years, grey squirrels have been largely confined to the Highland line thanks to these ongoing efforts and support from local estates and residents hosting a trap in their gardens.
Tayside Conservation Officer, Ann-Marie MacMaster, warned: “We have received large numbers of reports of both species of squirrel this spring and summer, suggesting that both species have benefited from the bumper seed crop of autumn 2019, followed by a very mild winter. This boost could mean that grey squirrels are at an advantage and have dispersed further than they would have in a more typical year. We can only gain a full picture of what is happening on the ground by asking the public to help us by reporting sightings of grey squirrels north of Dunkeld.’
“Without targeted action, grey squirrels could move north and become established in Aberfeldy, Pitlochry and beyond. This would undo the hard-won successes achieved in the in the last ten years.”
Reporting sightings of the non-native grey squirrel at scottishsquirrels.org.uk is one of the simplest ways for people to help support one of Scotland’s most loved, and most threatened, species. Each sighting enables Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels to target efforts to protect local red squirrel squirrels as well as those still thriving across Scotland’s northern regions.
Anyone living within this key area who has grey squirrels regularly visiting their garden can contact Ann-Marie MacMaster at:
amacmaster@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk to find out more about getting involved in the SSRS trap-loan scheme.
Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is supporting local communities to take action to ensure red squirrels continue to be a part of Scotland’s special native wildlife. The project is led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust in partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland, RSPB Scotland, Scottish Land & Estates and Red Squirrel Survival Trust. For more information visit scottishsquirrels.org.uk

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