Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels
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scotsquirrels.bsky.social
Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels
@scotsquirrels.bsky.social
380 followers 130 following 160 posts
Transforming hope for Scotland's red squirrels. Partnership project led by @ScotWildlife. Funded by
@NatureScot and @ScotGovNetZero's #NatureRestorationFund
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scotsquirrels.bsky.social
We’ve just launched our new fundraising appeal to ensure we’re able to keep protecting Scotland’s native red squirrels, as we have been doing since 2009.

Any amount you can give will help.

Find out more and donate here: scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/how-to-help/...

Thank you.

📷 Keilidh Ewan
A red squirrel on the roof of a building, with a rainy background. It is looking straight into the camera, and the tufts on its ears are wet.
November 10, 2025 at 10:33 AM
scotsquirrels.bsky.social
The Red Squirrel Survival Trust Volunteer of the Year Award is open for entries! Nominate someone who is making a real difference for our native red squirrels.
Email markhendersonrsst@gmail.com for a nomination form. Nominations close on 15 December.
A collage of photos showing volunteers carrying out conservation work and previous winners of the award receiving the trophy.
November 7, 2025 at 9:58 AM
scotsquirrels.bsky.social
Happy Halloween!

Thank you to Lisa Wood for this great photo of a red squirrel exploring a decorative pumpkin.
A red squirrel with its front paws on a pumpkin, in a forest. The pumpkin has a face drawn on it.
October 31, 2025 at 11:30 AM
scotsquirrels.bsky.social
Suspected case of squirrelpox in Kirkbean on the Solway coast!
While we await the results of the post mortem, we urge everyone in the area to remove feeders and thoroughly clean them using an anti-viral solution.
Report any sightings to: scottishsquirrels.org.uk/squirrel-sightings

📷Hamish Sellar
A red squirrel perching on a garden feeding station.
October 30, 2025 at 8:27 AM
scotsquirrels.bsky.social
We’re on the lookout for our new social media header photo! If you’ve snapped a seasonal red squirrel picture, please drop it in the replies. We’ll pick our favourite next week.

Thanks again to Val Gall for this colourful shot that has been brightening up our October.
A red squirrel surrounded by orange and yellow autumn leaves.
October 27, 2025 at 9:06 AM
scotsquirrels.bsky.social
Don’t forget the clocks go back this weekend! We’re still deciding if we’re going to spend the extra hour squirrel spotting or staying in bed 👀 😴
📷 Keilidh Ewan
A sleepy-looking red squirrel poking its head out of a nest box.
October 24, 2025 at 3:31 PM
scotsquirrels.bsky.social
You might have spotted red squirrels burying nuts for winter, but did you know they also ‘pretend’ to cache their precious goods? Scientific research has shown this is in order to ‘bluff’ any watching animal who may try and dig up and steal the item!

📷 Keilidh Ewan
A red squirrel sniffing along the forest floor.
October 21, 2025 at 8:58 AM
scotsquirrels.bsky.social
We had so much fun during last week’s #GreatScottishSquirrelSurvey! Don’t forget to record any squirrels you saw between 6 – 12 October so they can be added to our map.
Submit your sightings here: bit.ly/4gZ4tOP
📷 Jo Foo
A red squirrel in autumn leaves.
October 17, 2025 at 7:14 AM
scotsquirrels.bsky.social
Noticed a lot of acorns recently? This year is what is known as a ‘mast year’, where trees produce a large number of seeds. In this case, oak trees are producing huge numbers of acorns, more than could possibly be eaten by the local wildlife, meaning more acorns successfully turn into oak saplings.
A pile of acorns on the forest floor.
October 14, 2025 at 7:02 AM
scotsquirrels.bsky.social
As the #GreatScottishSquirrelSurvey draws to a close, we’d like to thank everyone who took part this year, our wonderful staff and volunteers, our partners and supporting organisations and this year’s survey partner, @treesforlife.bsky.social. Until next year!
A red squirrel on a mossy log, with the Great Scottish Squirrel Survey logo in the top, and SSRS partner logos along the bottom. Big text in the middle reads “Thank you!
October 12, 2025 at 6:30 PM
scotsquirrels.bsky.social
It’s the last day of the #GreatScottishSquirrelSurvey, so keep your eyes peeled if you’re out and about today! We’d love to hear about all the squirrels you spot at buff.ly/sbCx6Im. 📷Bob Shand
A red squirrel mid-leap!
October 12, 2025 at 7:59 AM
scotsquirrels.bsky.social
Every squirrel has its own personality, which one are you? Let us know and tag your friends! #GreatScottishSquirrelSurvey
A red tile with the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels and Great Scottish Squirrel Survey logos. Text reads: “Squirrel personality types” A grid of text is in the centre: Top row – ‘The organised one: always has a stash of nuts for when they get hungry, remembers where they put stuff.’, ‘the bold one: will shout at strangers (from a distance), not afraid to throw a pine cone if you get too close.’, ‘the curious one: always the first to try out a new food spot in town, knows all the neighbourhood gossip.’. middle row – ‘the scatterbrain: always losing things, has planted lots of trees (accidentally)’, ‘the outgoing one: has a big scurry/friendship group, prefers city life’, ‘the quiet one: you’ll normally find them at the edge of a party or the top of a tree, very observant’,. Bottom row – ‘the style icon: always the best dressed, knows their colour palette’, ‘the cosy one: loves to coorie in, especially when it’s raining, fills their home with warm, snuggle materials’, ‘the foodie: loves lots of different foods, experiments with preserving’.
October 11, 2025 at 7:30 PM
scotsquirrels.bsky.social
We’ve rounded up some of our top tips for seeing red squirrels this #GreatScottishSquirrelSurvey, and some of our favourite places to see them. Check out the blog and plan your squirrel spotting adventure! buff.ly/HwyFqkK
A screenshot of a map showing most of mainland Scotland, with red squirrel pins scattered across the country indicating good places to spot red squirrels.
October 11, 2025 at 8:08 AM
scotsquirrels.bsky.social
Taking part in the #GreatScottishSquirrelSurvey is easy! Get outside, spot a squirrel, record your sighting to buff.ly/sbCx6Im!
October 10, 2025 at 1:05 PM
scotsquirrels.bsky.social
We're looking forward to speaking at this year's @uksquirrelaccord.bsky.social Squirrel Conservation Update, today at 10am. Presentations from red squirrel conservation groups across the UK will be followed by a live Q&A.

Register/join here:
buff.ly/0Q7gux7

📷 Gary Watson
A close up a red squirrel looking into the camera.
October 10, 2025 at 8:30 AM
scotsquirrels.bsky.social
Happy Friday! Which squirrel are you today? Let us know! #GreatScottishSquirrelSurvey
A red tile with the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels and Great Scottish Squirrel Survey logos. Text reads: “Which squirrel are you today?” A grid of different pictures is in the centre: Top row: 1 – A red squirrel looking shocked as a hazelnut falls from its paws, 2 – A very soggy red squirrel on a branch, 3 – a red squirrel sniffing inquisitively. Middle row: 4 – A red squirrel looking gleeful as it swings from a bird feeder, 5 – the back of a red squirrel as it runs away, 6 – a nosey red squirrel leaning into the camera. Bottom row: 7 – a red squirrel looking shy and cute, 8 – a slightly grumpy, fluffed up red squirrel in snow, 9 – a red squirrel with mud all over its nose and tail, no thoughts behind its eyes.
October 10, 2025 at 7:57 AM
scotsquirrels.bsky.social
Just found out about the #GreatScottishSquirrelSurvey and want to learn more about Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels? Check episode 7 of @scotwildlife.bsky.social's podcast to find out what the project is all about. buff.ly/ouy8Oin
📷 Raymond Leinster
A red squirrel perching on a tree stump with a hazelnut in its mouth.
October 9, 2025 at 4:27 PM
scotsquirrels.bsky.social
Thank you to everyone who has submitted a squirrel sighting so far this #GreatScottishSquirrelSurvey! If you’re wondering what’s going on behind the scenes, check out our blog about what we do with the sightings you tell us about! buff.ly/0NCiUHV
📷 Bob Coyle
A grey squirrel poking its head around the side of a tree.
October 9, 2025 at 8:19 AM
scotsquirrels.bsky.social
Have you ever wondered what your name would be if you were a squirrel? 🐿️ Well wonder no more! Share your new name in the comments #GreatScottishSquirrelSurvey
A red tile with the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels and Great Scottish Squirrel Survey logos. Text reads: “Find your squirrel name. Column 1 – Birth month: January - Sandy February - Red March - Rowan April - Cyril May - Hazel June - Susie July - Ginger August - Leafy September - Angus October - Forest November - Simon December - Tufty Column 2 – Birth day: 1 - The Scamp 2 - Big Ears 3 - Tree Climber 4 - The Forager 5 - Tufterson 6 - McScurry 7 - Cone 8 - Nutt 9 - Hopper 10 - Long Tail 11 - Of The Woods 12 - Dreyton 13 - The Fluffy 14 - Old Tree 15 - Leaferson 16 – McFluff 16 - Ruadh 17 - Of The Tall Pines 18 - Acorn King 19 - Four Paws 20 - Nutkin 21 - Sprucetopher 22 - Tree Planter 23 - Scamperer 24 - Bright Eyes 25 - Bushy Tail 26 - Peanut Eater 27 - Scurryton 28 - Catkinson 29 - Beechwood 30 - The Nibbler 31 - The Red”
October 8, 2025 at 5:31 PM
scotsquirrels.bsky.social
We’re delighted that @treesforlife.bsky.social are partnering this year’s #GreatScottishSquirrelSurvey!
Read their guest blog about how nature-rich habitats are supporting red squirrels, and new populations of reds in the Highlands: buff.ly/DPgbx7R

📷 Rhonda Newsham
An adult female red squirrel and a juvenile in a tree.
October 8, 2025 at 8:58 AM
scotsquirrels.bsky.social
If you’re at work today, dreaming about getting outside and spotting squirrels, use our handy guide to build your perfect day, and send it to your favourite squirrel-spotting companion! #GreatScottishSquirrelSurvey
A red tile with the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels and Great Scottish Squirrel Survey logos. Text reads: “build your perfect squirrel spotting day” A grid of different pictures is in the centre: Top row: a – pine wood, b – broadleaf, c – urban park Middle row: 1 – winter, 2 – spring, 3 - autumn Bottom row: x – flask, y – irn bru, z – ice cream
October 7, 2025 at 1:31 PM
scotsquirrels.bsky.social
The #GreatScottishSquirrelSurvey gives us a really important snapshot of red and grey squirrel distribution across the country. Last year over 1,800 people took part, recording more than 2,500 squirrels in just one week! Can we beat that this year?
A green tile with a map of Scotland and the 2024 Great Scottish Squirrel Survey logo. Text reads “2024 RESULTS: 1802 people took part, 2547 sightings, 1014 confirmed grey sightings, 1433 confirmed red sightings. Did you know… you can report red and grey squirrel sightings all year round. Add yours to the map at scottishsquirrels.org.uk”
October 7, 2025 at 7:30 AM
scotsquirrels.bsky.social
You can take part in the #GreatScottishSquirrelSurvey from wherever you are in Scotland, on your own or with a group. We’re also running a variety of events across the country! Find out more about each of them here: buff.ly/hNzrkOg
A red tile with the Great Scottish Squirrel Survey and Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels logos at the top. Text reads: "What's on guide: Tuesday 7 October - Squirrel Spotting Safari with Aberdeen City council, Hazlehead woods, 7am - 12pm* Wednesday 8 October - Squirrel Spotting Safari with Aberdeen City council, Hazlehead woods, 7am - 12pm* Thursday 9 October - Squirrel stall at National Trust for Scotland House of Dun, 10:30am-4pm Friday 10 October - Squirrel stall at Scottish Wildlife Trust Montrose Basin Wildlife reserve, 10:30am-4pm Friday 10 October - Squirrel stall at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond nature reserve, 12 -5pm Saturday 11 October - Squirrel stall at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Balmaha visitor centre, 11am-4pm with presentations at 12pm and 3pm Sunday 12 October - Squirrel Spotting with Inverness Feminist Bird Club, Craig Phadrig, 2-4pm* *free event, but please book a ticket"
October 6, 2025 at 2:15 PM
scotsquirrels.bsky.social
It’s the first day of the #GreatScottishSquirrelSurvey! Be part of something AMAZING this week by telling us about the squirrels you see at buff.ly/sbCx6Im

@scotwildlife.bsky.social @naturescot.bsky.social @rspbscotland.bsky.social @aberdeencc.bsky.social @treesforlife.bsky.social
October 6, 2025 at 6:30 AM
scotsquirrels.bsky.social
We're very sorry to have to cancel tomorrow's Squirrel spotting event with @scotwildlife.bsky.social Wildlife Watch Group in Aberdeen, due to adverse weather conditions.

We really hope we can reschedule soon. Keep an eye on our events page for upcoming events in your area.

📷 Caroline Vaux
A red squirrel sitting at a mini picnic table, under a squirrel-sized red umbrella.
October 3, 2025 at 1:35 PM