Red squirrels number on the rise in Scotland, survey finds

Pets & Animals Pets & Animals: In The News
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The Great Scottish Squirrel Survey found they were returning to the Aberdeen area and that the number of greys had decreased.

The survey confirmed the only red squirrel population in the Highlands is safe and free of greys due to the efforts of staff protecting the Highland Boundary Fault Line, a geological feature stretching from Argyll to Aberdeenshire.

During the fourth annual survey week in October, 659 participants reported 255 grey squirrel and 510 red squirrel sightings - more than triple the number reported in a typical week.

Vanessa Fawcett from the Red Squirrel Survival Trust told BBC Scotland that gardeners can help with the conservation efforts.

She said: “We are encouraging gardeners who live in red areas or areas adjacent to red areas to start to feed the reds as their numbers grow [and] to start to grow the food that will benefit and supplement the existing food sources for our red squirrels.”

The main threats facing red squirrels are urbanisation, grey squirrels outcompeting them for space and food, and squirrel pox spread by greys.

In the south of Scotland, a mix of the two species remains, but volunteers are working to keep numbers of grey squirrels low.

The greys should be exterminated (or, at least, sterilised/neutered) … :face_with_raised_eyebrow:

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That’s some good news, love to see the reds when in Scotland

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Conservationists have been intrigued by a sighting of a red squirrel eating frog spawn about 3m (10ft) up a tree.

Wildlife photographer Dave Bird spotted the animal, and its unusual meal, at Strathyre in Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

One theory is the eggs were left by a bird after it had eaten a frog.

Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels conservation project said it had not seen the behaviour before, but pointed out the animals were omnivores.

Depending on the time of year, the diet of red squirrels usually involves pinecone seeds, hazelnuts, buds on plants, insects and occasionally bird eggs.

Fascinating … :nerd_face:

I wonder what ate the frog … :thinking:

Do Birds Eat Frogs? | Birdfact.

Many different species of birds will eat frogs and tadpoles. Wading birds such as herons, storks and egrets are commonly known to eat frogs, but other fishing birds such as kingfishers and members of the gull family will also eat them. It’s less commonly known, but hawks, swans, geese, ducks, crows, ravens and owls will also consume frogs when given the opportunity to do so.

Buzzards will regularly take amphibians for food, and for some, this will make up a substantial part of their diets. On much rarer occasions, species like reed warblers, blackbirds, and blue jays will all eat frogs given the opportunity.