Volunteer for our Spring 2025 Squirrel Survey

Eleven areas will be covered

We are looking for volunteers to help with our spring 2025 squirrel survey

Date: Between 1st March and 31st May 2025

Locations: Various throughout our area (see above)

Expertise required: None - all training will be given

Time commitment: From a few hours depending on the site

Level of fitness required: Moderate - all sites will be located in woodland, so access may be muddy

Equipment required: None - everything will be provided

What are we doing?

In Spring 2025 we are joining with the other sixteen volunteer groups across the south of Scotland to undertake a survey of grey and red squirrel populations. Each group has a number of randomly selected 2kmx2km squares to do their surveys in (these are called tetrads).

How do we do it?

Two sites are chosen within each tetrad. At each site we will install a squirrel feeder and trail camera. After two weeks we will return to each site, retrieve the feeder and camera and count the maximum number of grey and/or red squirrels on the feeder at any one time during that 2 weeks.

We'll be setting up feeder boxes to monitor grey and red squirrel numbers

What do we do with the data we collect?

The data will be collated and added to that of the other groups and this will form the basis of our collective conservation work across the south of Scotland. The data will be published.

How can I get involved?

Simply click the map (top) and this will take you to our dedicated survey page. There you'll see an interactive map which you can zoom and pan to see our tetrads. If you think you can help us in one or more tetrads, simply click on that square and hit the web link. This will take you to a page on our website from where you can express your interest (there is no commitment on your part to help even if you have expressed an interest).

Need more information?

https://www.bordersredsquirrels.com/2025-spring-survey

Bouncing into 2025 with a bigger and better website

CBRSN launches a new website

Excuse us for using an AI-generated image for our New Years Blog

Our new, simpler website

Over the past few weeks we have been casting a critical eye over our website and decided, from much feedback, that it needed to be simpler and easier to navigate. We are pleased to report that the new design has just been launched and we invite you to browse at your leisure.

The homepage contans handy links to facts about squirrels, details of our conservation work and the events we attend. It's also a place where you can access the SSRS squirrel sightings page and helpful guidance on squirrel ID and what to do if you find an injured or unwell red squirrel.

More from our new website

Recent reports of squirrel pox in Northumberland means that we need to be extra vigilant and make sure that we report any instances of this deadly virus before it spreads into our area.

And if you mostly use a mobile phone to access the Internet, you'll be pleased to know that our new site is fully compatible with these smaller devices.

Events for 2025

We haven't yet finalised our events calendar for 2025, but we do know that once again we'll be attending the BOG Potato day in Kelso on 2nd March. See you there!

Borders Organic Gardeners Potato Day 2025

We'll be sending out a newsletter to all members in the New Year, but in the meantime we would like to wish you a happy and healthy 2025 and we look forward to seeing you at one of our events this year.

Center Parcs coming to Hawick?

Center Parcs interested in building a new site north of Hawick

Earlier this month holiday park operator Center Parcs announced that they were hoping to build their next holiday park on Buccleuch land 3 miles north of Hawick. The £350m project has the full support of Scottish Borders Council and will go to planning early in 2025. All being well, Center Parcs expect to open to paying guests within 4 years.

With the prospect of 1,200 full-time jobs and promises that local businesses will be used throughout the build and subsequent operation, it’s no surprise that there has been widespread support for the project.

From our experience, Center Parcs have always been strong advocates of wildlife and always aim to improve the biodiversity wherever their parks are located. We were recently speaking to one of their Wildlife Rangers, who explained how important landscape and wildlife are for their business. It’s a fact that lots of guests visit the Whinfell (Penrith) site just to see Red Squirrels.

Right now the proposed Hawick site is pretty devoid of wildlife, but the plan is to plant thousands of native trees and create new riparian habitats to attract the native wildlife which we already know includes our native red squirrels, which have been recorded in adjacent woods.

We will be actively engaging with the Grounds team at Center Parcs just as soon as the scheme is confirmed.