Latest news

The not-so-secret red squirrel island

The Isle of Wight has long been a haven for red squirrels, Sciurus vulgaris, thanks to the, just substantial enough, stretch of water known as The Solent, that separates the island from the mainland. The presence of the Solent and lack

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Tracking red squirrels in the Highlands

With temperatures as low as -15°C, steep hills, bogs, fallen trees and midges, radio-tracking squirrels in the Highlands has its challenges – but it also has plenty of rewards.   A study is being carried to investigate the effect of forestry operations

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Grey squirrel tree damage evidence

UK Squirrel Accord is gathering visual evidence of grey squirrel bark stripping damage to broadleaf trees. We are looking for photos or videos of bark stripping in action, or the subsequent damage caused to trees. If you can help, please

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Reclaiming Reds: making Knowsley a place for red squirrels

Reclaiming Reds is a recently launched project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It aims to directly connect the public with strategic conservation action to pave the way for red squirrels to thrive once again on the Knowsley Estate

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Managing invasive non-native grey squirrels to safeguard our native red squirrels and woodland biodiversity

An invasive non-native species (INNS) is one that has a negative impact on the environment, economy or our health and our way of life. Globally, INNS are one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss, contributing to 40% of animal

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Red squirrels thrive in Lowther’s woods

The Lowther Estate is in the North East Lake District, in Cumbria – the heart of a stronghold for red squirrels – something that is very important to both the estate and landscape.   The estate aims to work with nature through

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Origami red squirrels raising awareness

Origami is an interactive and fun way to raise awareness of the threats to red squirrel survival and the importance of efforts to save them.   While practicing this art of paper folding, people can also enjoy the many therapeutic benefits origami

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Fertility research – news from the field

As a partnership, the UK Squirrel Accord is fundraising for research into an oral contraceptive for grey squirrel management. This research is conducted by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and is still achieving results, despite the current pandemic.   The project on oral

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Protecting the UK’s trees from grey squirrel damage – House of Lords debate

https://squirrelaccord.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/House_of_Lords_13-02-20_12-59-51-1.mp4 Grey squirrels are damaging important broadleaf trees and causing local extinctions of the native red squirrel. The oral contraceptive being researched by the UK Squirrel Accord (UKSA) is seen as a new hope for protecting tree health from this invasive

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Red Squirrel Appreciation Day 2020

Red squirrels are an important part of the UK’s wildlife, but their future is under threat. On Red Squirrel Appreciation Day, 21 January, we look at the issue of ensuring their survival through invasive species management.   Introducing non-native species to areas

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Great Scottish Squirrel Survey 2019 results

In September this year Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels launched the very first Great Scottish Squirrel Survey, a campaign that encouraged people in Scotland to spend some time enjoying the outdoors while keeping a lookout for tufted ears and bushy tails.   In

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Biggest threat to the National Forest – grey squirrels

Grey squirrel bark stripping threatens trees and all the hard work people have put in to grow the National Forest over the last 25 years. The National Forest Company is working to develop a landscape-scale approach to managing grey squirrels

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A new hope for grey squirrel management – fertility control research update

The UK Squirrel Accord (UKSA) partnership is fundraising for research into an oral contraceptive to tackle the negative impacts the invasive non-native grey squirrel causes to native red squirrels and broadleaf trees. As thousands of trees are planted during National Tree Week

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UK Squirrel Accord photography competition 2019 – winning images

Thank you to everyone who submitted such beautiful images for our recent photography competition. There are a lot of keen and talented photographers out there and it was difficult to choose between the photographs sent in.   This blog congratulates two winning

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Red Squirrel Awareness Week 2019 celebrations

Red squirrels were once a common sight across the UK, but their numbers severely declined during the 20th Century and active conservation efforts were needed to protect them. Red Squirrel Awareness Week aims to highlight their plight and celebrate the

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New UK Squirrel Accord website launch & photography competition

Welcome to the new and refreshed website for the UK Squirrel Accord (UKSA) partnership.   Please find useful information on red and grey squirrels, their conservation and management, tree health, the fertility control research, and more. We aim for this to be

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Red Squirrel Awareness Week 10-16 October 2022

Join us to celebrate the wonderful world of red squirrels in all their autumn glory. As their ear tufts and winter coats grow, so does the national love for these endangered mammals. Red Squirrel Awareness Week offers a chance to catch up on

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