This photo was taken this week at the Farr red squirrel hotspot.

Read all about it in the Inverness Courier by clicking on this link.

The hot spot leaflet was launched today at Farr hot spot with children from the Primary school. 

If you watch STV news tonight between 6 and 6.30pm, you will see us!!  Also some photograhers were there so, keep an eye out in the press.

Click on this link to read more about it. 

Watch the wonderful film clip from the HOTSPOT AT School Wood at Farr, 5 miles south of Inverness!!  You can view it by clicking on the title above.

Well done to class 6/7 of Farr Primary!  More film clips to be posted - watch this space!!

Experts are worried about spread of squirrel pox in the Republic of Ireland.

A third case of a deadly disease affecting native Irish red squirrels has been confirmed.

Wildlife experts are concerned at the spread of squirrel pox virus (SQPV) after a third case of the deadly disease has been confirmed in a little over a month. A native red squirrel was discovered suffering from SQPV in south Dublin earlier this week.

Read more about it by clicking on this link.

The red squirrel was a much-loved sight, but for years now this tiny creature has been battling to survive in England.

Since the arrival in the UK at the turn of the 20th century of the American grey squirrel, which brought with it the deadly squirrel pox virus, the number of native reds has been steadily decreasing until the species is now at a critical point.

It has retreated to a few pockets of Scotland, the Isle of Wight and Northern England - including Tynedale, where the conservation efforts of Northern Red Squirrels (NRS) have been starting to pay off.  Read more about it by clicking here.

River Tweed squirrel pox outbreak action plan in place

Southern Scotland is seen as a key area in protecting the country's red squirrels

An "intensive" action plan has started to tackle a squirrel pox outbreak around the River Tweed in Berwickshire.  Read more about it by clcking here. 

If you are keen at taking photos of wildlife, come to our Hot Spots to get some great pictures.  It doesn't matter if you are young or old, amateur or professsional; hot spot facilities should help you capture a really good image of red squirrels.

You can see in the photo above that a hide in Yorkshire is providing a great facility for photographers.  You can read more about it by clkcing here. 

At our 12 Highland hot spots shown on the leaflet, currently we have 2 sites with special viewing screens which are ideal for photographers.  The screens have spy holes to faciltate photography and general 'spying'!  These can be found at Craig Dunain in Inverness and Glen Righ near Fort William. 

The hot spot site at Glengarry will have it's very own wildlife hide in the forest just like the one shown above.  This will be built within the next year or so.  Watch this space for more news of this new hide!

Click this link to read the latest issue of the Scottish Biodiversity Forum newsletter.  It has all sorts of interesting articles to read!

You can also have a look at their website by clcking here. The website is a useful place to look for things going on in your area and how to get involved.

Enjoy, and a very Happy Christmas to one and all 

The (first ever) Highland Mammal Atlas is for sale.

It is A5 sized with 142 pages and covers all the terrestrial mammals that have been recorded in the Highlands. The species accounts have been written by local experts. For anyone interested in mammals it is a great addition to their bookshelf.

The Atlas cost £5 for HBRG members and £7 for non-members. Click on this link for the Highland Biological Recording Group to order a copy. Copies are also available from Ro Scott near Cromarty. David McAllister at the Tain Field Club, Ian Evans at the Assynt Field Club, Sue Marrs at SNH Great Glen House, Audrey Turner in Aviemore and Jonathan Willet at Highland Council HQ Inverness. We hope to get a stock up to Caithness in the New Year.

A great stocking filler - enjoy!