THE Tweeddale Red Squirrel Network have several non-onerous volunteering opportunities available.

These include administration work like keeping records to making applications for funding to continue the groups  valuable conservation work, to operational works such as trapping and monitoring in the field, giving talks to local groups and organisations, and staffing stalls at various country shows throughout the year. 

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The Network also operates an active schools’ education project by going into local schools and telling our younger people about the importance of preserving our indigenous wildlife.

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The Tweeddale Red Squirrel Network is a no-barriers group and is open to all. 

 If you think you can help, please email tweeddaleredsquirrels@gmail.com. If you would like to find out first-hand how you can help then go along to the Annual General Meeting which is being held in the Traquair Arms Hotel, Innerleithen at 7pm on Tuesday 18th April 2023.

You can also find the group on Facebook.

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A spokesperson for the Tweeddale Red Squirrel Network said: “There is nothing more pleasant than walking in one of Tweeddale’s beautiful community woodlands on a nice sunny day when suddenly, out of the corner of your eye, there is a flash of red and the swish of a red tail followed by cheeky chattering.  You have been lucky enough to spot one of Scotland’s most iconic and well-loved creatures, our native Red Squirrel!

“But all too often these days it’s not our beautiful Red Squirrel you see but the invasive American Grey Squirrel. 

“Like many of the UK’s invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam, Sika Deer and American Crayfish, the American Grey Squirrel was introduced into this country by the Victorians, and they now present a serious threat to our native plants and wildlife.

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“In fact, if we do nothing, we could see our native Red Squirrels disappear from our woodlands in just 10 years!

“American Grey Squirrels are much bigger than our native Red Squirrels and they outcompete them for food and territory.  The American Grey Squirrels also carry a deadly Pox which is fatal to our Native Red Squirrels.

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“Thankfully help is at hand and locally someone is doing something to preserve Red Squirrels. 

“The Tweeddale Red Squirrel Network was set up a year ago following on from the great work of the now discontinued Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Project. 

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“The Tweeddale Red Squirrel Network is an independent group totally run by volunteers and has been so successful that we are now seeing Red Squirrels in areas where we never saw them before. 

“But, we need help to achieve even more successes and to return Red Squirrels to all community woodlands for everyone to enjoy.

“More help is vital and needed to ensure the success of our group and secure the survival of our gorgeous Red Squirrels for future generations. “