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Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 29m

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.

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Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 1d

Hi Alison, yes absolutely! Lovely to see!

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Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 1d

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels is a partnership project led by Scottish Wildlife Trust , funded by NatureScot and Net Zero Scotland's #NatureRestorationFund

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 1d

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!

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Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 1d

That's amazing! Thanks Ruth!

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Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 1d

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

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Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 2d

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’.

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Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 2d

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.

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Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 3d

Taking part in the #GreatScottishSquirrelSurvey is easy! Get outside, spot a squirrel, record your sighting to buff.ly/sbCx6Im!

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Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 3d

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.

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Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 3d

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.

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Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 4d

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.

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Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 4d

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.

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 5d

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”

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Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 5d

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.

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Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 6d

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

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 7d

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?

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Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 7d

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"

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 8d

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

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Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 10d

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.

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Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 11d

We’re hiring a Monitoring and Control Officer based in East Angus! This is the ideal role for someone who enjoys working outdoors and interacting with people, with experience in mammal control work. Find out more and apply by 15 October: buff.ly/tC55HSI

📷 Katie Berry

A person checking a camera trap attached to a tree.

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Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 14d

One week to go until the #GreatScottishSquirrelSurvey 2025! Remember you can take part anywhere in Scotland, on your own or with a group. We’re running loads of fun events during the week, check them out here: scottishsquirrels.org.uk/events/

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Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 17d

Two red squirrels bringing some cuteness to your Friday afternoon!

🎥 clip from camera trap at Balmaha, showing two red squirrels scurrying around a feederbox on a tree and sniffing each other.

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Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 17d

We’re looking into a suspected grey squirrel spotted around Macaulay Drive, Aberdeen. If you live in this area please keep an eye on your gardens and let us know if you spot a grey squirrel by reporting it here: scottishsquirrels.org.uk/squirrel-sightings

A map showing an area of Aberdeen, with lots of red dots representing red squirrel sightings, and one grey pin showing a grey squirrel sighting, dated 23/9/2025.

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Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 20d

UPDATE - we've now had lots of applications and will be in touch with everyone shortly! Thank you for all your interest in helping us, keep an eye out for future opportunities!

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