Scientific name is SciurusvulgarisThey do not hibernate but store nuts & seeds inthe Autumn to feed through winterThey have four fingers on their front paws and five toes on their feetThey eat seeds, buds, leaves, flowers, fruits, fungi, insects and occasionally birds’ eggsThey are either left or right handed when eating conesThey moult their ear tufts once a year in the AutumnThey can swim and also hang upside downThey live in a drey made of twigs, leaves and moss. It is about the size of a footballThey sometimes store and dry mushrooms in their dreys to eatTheir coats are not always red, they can be quite brown, grey or even blackThey can have two litters per year in the summer with three or four kittens (baby squirrels)Kittens are born with their eyes closed and with no teeth or hairIn a good woodland habitat they can live in densities of one per hectareThey may live up to six years if they survive infancyThey use their tails to communicate with each other!

What are they?Hot spots are areas which are great to see red

squirrels. You can see on the map inside this leaflet that we have identified 12 great hot

spot locations. There are special facilities at each site so that you have a better chance of seeing wild red squirrels. The map shows where they are situated, what facilities are available and links to websites for more information.

Here is a summary of facilities at our top 12 hot spots, listed north to south with

grid references:

1. Torrachilty, Ross-shire: Feeders, car park, picnic table, toilets, disabled trail. NH452 570

2. Culbin, Moray: Feeder, car park, picnic tables and toilets. NH998 613

3. Craig Phadrig, Inverness: Feeders, car park and picnic table. NH638 449

4. Craig Dunain, Inverness: Feeders, car park, disabled trail. NH634 436

5. School Wood, Farr, Inverness-shire: Feeder, car park, picnic tables. NH684 335

6. Waterfall café, Foyers, Inverness-shire: Feeders, camera with screen, car park, shop, café. NH498 204

The Highlands of Scotland is the last main refuge of thered squirrel, Sciurus Vulgaris. Red squirrels are anationally endangered species, and we would like you to use this leaflet to record sightings of squirrels and to visit Hot Spots. Grey squirrels from North America were introduced to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen from the late 19th century until the 1950’s. To date, we are grey-free in the Highlands, which is fantastic news for our native, iconic red squirrel.

Red squirrels in the UK are endangered by 3 principle threats:

The grey squirrel – a much larger animal, which has twice as many young. It out-competes red squirrels for food and it carries Squirrelpox, a disease which is deadly to reds.

Removal of woodland –it is important that red squirrel habitats are managed and maintained.

Road kills – This is an unfortunate fact of today’s busy roads.

CONTACT:

Juliet RobinsonRed Squirrel Conservation OfficerSee Red HighlandForestry Commission ScotlandHighland & Islands Conservancy‘Woodlands’, Fodderty Way, Dingwall IV15 9XBPhone: 01349 862144Website: www.redsquirrelsofthehighlands.co.uk

www.redsquirrelsofthehighlands.co.uk

Feoragan Ruadh NA G AIDHEALTACHD

RedsSmaller and slimmerReddish brown to blonde furWinter ear tuftsOften feed in the treesMore timid

Red squirrel Hot SpotsUnder Threat

GreysLarger and broader

Grey often with black, brownand sometimes red fur

Often feeds on the groundMore bold

LEAD VOLUNTEERS

These are local experts who can advise in your localHighland area. There are two in Inverness-shire,two in the Cairngorms, and one in Ross-shire,Sutherland and Lochaber. You can find theircontact details on our website on the ‘About’ pageunder ‘Our team’.

www.redsquirrelsofthehighlands.co.uk

Photography by Brian Alexander, Juliet Robinson andLaurie Campbell.

NEW!

Hot Spot Map

Red Squirrels OF THE HIGHL ANDS

7. Boat of Garten, Cairngorms: Feeders, car park, trails and interpretive board. NH932 190

8. Potting Shed Tearoom, Inshriach, Cairngroms:Feeders, car park, café. Seasonal (March – October). NH873 073

9. Highland Folk Museum, Newtonmore, Cairngorms:Feeders, car park, café. Seasonal (April – October). NN725 995

10. Wolftrax, Laggan, Cairngorms: Feeders, car park, café, toilets. NN593 923

11. Glengarry Forest, Lochaber: Feeders, car park and picnic tables. NH300 008

12. Glen Righ Forest, Lochaber: Feeders, car park, picnic tables and disabled access to viewing screen. NN029 633

What’s involved?We have a great bunch of volunteers whomanage each hot spot. These hot spotco-ordinators are responsible for keepingthe feeders filled up and making sure thefacilities are well maintained.

Of course you can see red squirrels in other locationstoo! The map inside this leaflet shows other areas in redand yellow where you can also find squirrels. Pleaseremember to record any sightings of red squirrels in theHighlands at:

www.redsquirrelsofthehighlands.co.uk

Fascinating FACT FILE

Hot Spot Tips

For more information visit www.redsquirrelsofthehighlands.co.uk

Find the feeders, they’ll benear the car park.

Approach the feeders quietly.

Wait for the red squirrels toappear.

RED SQUIRRELS OF THE HIGHLANDS

Torrachilty Forest, near Contin, Ross-shire. Just west ofContin on the Ullapool road (A835). See the squirrels at the feeders around the all ability trail, beside the picnic tables. www.forestry.gov.uk

Culbin Forest, near Forres, Moray. Go to the Wellhill car park, near Kintessack which is off the A96 at the Forres end of Cublin. A feeder is situated across from the toilets. www.forestry.gov.uk/culbin

Craig Phadrig, Inverness. Go to the top car park, which is 1km off Leachkin Road. See the squirrels at the feeders at the car park and in the wood just past the gate on the left side of the path. www.forestry.gov.uk

Craig Dunain, Inveress. Go through Westercraigs housing estate and park by the duck pond. See the squirrels at the feeders near the pond around the all ability trail. www.spanglefish.com/DunainCommunityWoodland

Farr school wood, Inverness-shire. Go past Farr Primary school to the School Wood car park. See the squirrels at the feeder behind the car park. www.strathnairn.org.uk/wood

Waterfall café, Foyers, Inverness-shire. Take the B852 road along Loch Ness, South of Inverness to Upper

Foyers. The feeder is situated in the wood across the road from the post office and you can see film footageof red squirrel action in the café. www.lochnesswelcome.co.uk

Boat of Garten, Cairngorms. This small car park is situated on Desher Road. It is just off the main road, on the left, about 300 meters from the last house in the village. Near the car park you will see a red squirrel interpretation board and viewing platform to see the feeders (follow sign with binocular symbol). You can get the new Boat of Garten Trail leaflet at the Post Office, train station or hotel. www.boatofgarten.com

Potting Shed Tearoom, Inshriach, Cairngorms. Take the B970 towards Feshie Bridge, from the tearoom viewing room you can see the red squirrels feeding. Seasonal. www.inshriachnursery.co.uk

Highland Folk Museum, Newtonmore, Cairngorms. This is situated on the A86, on the north end of the village. Have a look around the museum pinewood and you are likely to see lots of red squirrels. Seasonal.www.highlandfolk.com/newtonmore.php

Wolftrax, Laggan, Cairngorms. Take the A86 west of Newtonmore and park at the large Wolftrax car park. You can see the squirrels at the feeder on the west side of car park on a walking trail into the Forest which is separate from the bike trails. www.lagganforest.com and www.forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Glengarry Forest, Lochaber. Take the A87 west of Invergarry and after about 2km turn left to cross the river by bridge to the White Bridge car park. See the squirrels at the feeders along the circular river trail. A specially made squirrel hide is planned for 2013. www.forestry.gov.uk

Glen Righ Forest, Fort William, Lochaber. Take the A82 south of Fort William and just after the Corran Ferry turn-off, turn left into Inchrigh. Go to the car park at the end of the village and see the squirrels at the feeders from the specially made squirrel viewing screen near the car park. www.forestry.gov.uk

RED SQUIRREL HOT SPOTSRED SQUIRREL HOT SPOTS

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