Juliet will not be able to respond to queries for the next 2 weeks.  If you have a GREY SQUIRREL RECORD, please contact Ian Collier at:

ian.collier@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Many thanks!

Secret camera moves around the Highlands ....

Our roving secret camera has just moved from Glenrigh Forest, near the Corran Ferry, just south of Fort William in Lochaber.  You can see from the photos in the gallery on page 5 (clink on this link) and the video clips in 29th of July blog (see below)  that the area is very active!

This photo below shows some young squirrels enjoying the feeder.

This photo below shows some young pine martens visiting the feeder at the dead of night .....

We are going to place the camera in Ross-shire now, north of Inverness.  We hope to get as good footage, and will report on progress.

You might wonder, why are we doing this????  The reason is to establish where are suitable places to create red squirrel 'hot spots' as described in the 22nd of July blog (see below).  Glenrigh Forest is becoming one and the feeder shown on the photos and video clips is situated behind the car park.  Later in the year, Lochaber Forest District are going to build a hide and an all abilities trail so that the feeder can be seen by all.

Happy red squirrel hot spotting!

In 2008 red squirrels were re-introduced to Dundonnell Estate.  Click on this link for some background information.

This weekend, a wonderful time at Dundonnell Estate was had by all. On Friday evening at the Dundonnell Hotel, over 40 people came to listen to talks ranging from red squirrels to bats.  It was very interesting to hear about all the diversity of life on the Estate and it whetted appetites for the outdoor event the next day.

The next day was attended by over 80 people, with guided walks ranging from insects, fish, moths, bats and geology on offer.. Here you can see Juliet gathering the group to go for the red squirrel 'hunt' ....

Roy Dennis tells the assembled group how the red squirrels were released on the Estate. That morning we saw 4 squirrels, at least 2 were youngsters. We were all delighted!

Alasdair the Gamekeeper (back view in photo wearing green tweeds), explains how the squirrels are monitored at each release site.  That afternoon we saw 12 red squirrels!

The last photo shows Alex and Charlotte from London.  They got prizes for being the best squirrel spotters all day. Well done girls!

This very successful event was organised by Tamara Lawton of SNH, thanks to her for doing such a great job.  Also thanks to Roy and Alasdair for releasing all the squirrels and for making the project a success.  Last but not least, many thanks to Jane Rice for hosting the event and for providing the lovely keg of beer.

Yesterday at Dundonnell Estate, I saw 10 red squirrels.   Even the squirrel in the photo looks embarrassed!

Forget the "ten green bottles" and come to this marvellous event starting tomorrow evening.  Clink on this link to find out more.  It could be YOU seeing these lovely residents of this beautiful Highland Estate.

Did you know that red squirrels were re-introduced to Dundonnell Estate in 2008? The photo above shows Roy Dennis showing the Highland Red Squirrel Group some of the new inhabitatants.  We saw four red squirrels that day, and next time it could be you ....

Join us at Dundonnell Estate, Wester Ross for "WILDLIFE WONDERS".  You will be able to 'hunt' down Red Squirrels, dart after Dragonflies, get down with the insects and go batty for bats!

This Dundonnell Biodiversity Weekend begins:

• Friday 13 August at 7pm at Dundonnell HOTEL. There will be talks on red squirrels, bats, insects and fish.  Free of charge and everyone welcome!
• Saturday 14 August at 10am onwards at Dundonnell ESTATE.  Guided walks and field skill lessons from experts.  You can choose between lower plants, river life, woodlands, red squirrels, insects and at dusk - bats!  Also free of charge.

Click on this link to find out more.  Hope to see you there!

How would you like to view Highland red squirrels like this one in the photo above?

We are planning a series of 'hot spots' to be created around the Highlands for locals and visitors alike to enjoy.  Each 'hot spot' will consist of a feeder with a screen to shield viewers.

The screens will have slots built in so that people can view the squirrels without disturbing them.  The slots will be placed at different heights so that adults, children and those in buggies and wheelchairs can all enjoy the experience. Also, all ability paths will lead up to the screens.

So where will they be in the Highlands?  We are hoping to create about five 'hot spots'.

1. Inverness-shire:  situated near Inverness.  Hope to be completed by the end of 2010
2. Lochaber:  situated near Fort William.  Hope to be completed by the end of 2010
3. Badenoch & Strathspey:  a location yet to be finalised
4. Ross-shire:  a location yet to be found
5. Sutherland:  a location yet to be found

If you have any ideas about suitable locations, let Juliet know.  I will keep you updated with progress on this blog. Let's hope the red squirrels like their soon to be created 'hot spots'!

Last December, Forestry Commission Scotland received strong support for the concept of establishing a series of red squirrel strongholds across Scotland.

In it's responce to a consultation earlier last year, the Commission is leading work to plan and manage 18 stronghold sites that will help to safeguard the country's surviving red squirrel populations.

Juliet is now part of a stakeholder group which will take forward plans to develop guidance for land managers.  The guidance will help in the management of strongold areas in balance with other objectives, including increasing wider wildlife benefits from woodlands. 

Each proposed strongold is at least 2000 hectares in size.  This means around 100,000 ha of the best forest sites in Scotland will be managed as refuges for red squirrels, focusing on ensuring food supplies for reds (from cone bearing conifers) and resitricting food sources perferred by greys (large seeded broadleaves). 

Forestry Commission Scotland will work with landowners and local communities, aiming to finalise stronghold maps and develop suitable management plans in all the 18 locations proposed in the consultation - see link below. 

For  further information on the development of stronghold sites and the full responcse by Forestry Commission Scotland to the consultation, click on this link. 

Prince Charles backs return of red squirrels into Cornish woodlands after cull of greys

"Red squirrels could soon be scampering through their native woodlands in Cornwall - but only after the grey intruders who forced them out are eradicated.  The Prince of Wales has launched a reintroduction project for specially selected parts of the coutry as he visits the Royal Cornwall Show today.

Landowners on the Lizard Peninsula and in West Penwith have already started cullling greys, which are officially classed as vermin and must be wiped out in the area before any reds can be brought in".

Western Morning News, 10th June 2010

We had a wonderful day out with Banavie Primary 5 class.  We were searching for red squirrels in Glen Nevis forest, which is a great place to see them in Lochaber.

You can see from the photos that everyone had fun, and even though squirrels did not show themselves on the day, we found lots of signs of them : stripped cones and dreys.  You can see some of the boys searching out our red friends, and some just chilling out!

After lots of squirrel 'detectiving', the class collected forest material to make a red squirrel picture. Here is the winning art display (flower power!) and winning team.  Well done girls!

Thanks to Primary 5 teacher, Miss Culeen for organising the day, and to Wayne for being a great help.  And well done everyone for making it such a great day outdoors.