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Latest news from CBRSN and a job opportunity

    Bill Ferguson - Volunteer of the Year

    We are delighted to report that, at our recent AGM, our very own Grey Squirrel Control Officer and CBRSN co-founder, Bill Ferguson was awarded "Volunteer of the Year" by the Red Squirrel Survival Trust.

    Bill Ferguson being presented with the Volunteer of the Year award by RSST's Mark Henderson
    Bill Ferguson being presented with the Volunteer of the Year award by RSST's Mark Henderson

    Everyone at CBRSN managed to keep the award secret right up until the point when Mark Henderson stood up and explained his presence at our AGM.

    In his acceptance address, Bill thanked his team of volunteer trappers, without who he cannot do his work which, incidentally, he doesn't get paid for.


    Spring Survey almost complete

    With many thanks to all of our volunteers, our Spring Survey 2026 is almost complete. Some new volunteers have stepped-in to help out this year as we are now being asked to cover more sample sites and we've lost some of our previous contributors.

    As soon as we receive the full results, we'll let you all know.


    SSRS are recruiting

    Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels are hiring a "Grey Squirrel Control Officer". It is a paid post and will run until 31st March 2028. With a salary of £25,095, this post will be based in and around Dalbeattie, with flexible working throughout South West Scotland.

    So, if you or anyone you know may be interested, then please share the above link. They have until 7th June 2026 to make contact with SSRS.

     
     
     

    Spring Survey 2026 begins on 1st March

      You may remember us launching the 2025 Spring Survey around this time last year and we are once again looking for volunteers to help out with this vital "citizen science" project.


      The Spring Survey runs across the north of England and Southern Scotland and is coordinated by the "Red Squirrel Recovery Network" - a five year Heritage Lottery fund-supported project to map the red and greys and to conduct research into how we may deal with the encroaching greys.


      The annual Spring Survey will build up a picture of red and grey populations over time to aid in this research and runs from 1st March through to 31st May.


      Feeder box and trail camera set-up
      Feeder box and trail camera set-up

      CBRSN has been allocated fifteen survey areas, up from last year's eleven. This is because we, as a group, cover the largest area of any in the south of Scotland, but with a massive amount of help from you, our members, we also managed to get the job done quickly and efficiently in 2025.


      We have fifteen tetrads to do this year
      We have fifteen tetrads to do this year

      Each survey area is called a "tetrad", which is a 2kmx2km box, split into four 1kmx1km "monads", labelled NE,NW,SE,SW. We have to pick two survey locations per tetrad, and each must be in a different monad (see below)...


      An example of where we might set up monitoring
      An example of where we might set up monitoring

      We put up a squirrel feeder and a trail camera, leave it there for 14 days, after which we take it all down and analyse the photos captured by the camera. We then record the maximum number of each species at the feeder at any one time. We then do it all again at the other site.


      We have already emailed everyone who helped us out in 2025, but are still looking for volunteers for the remaining locations. Full training will be given and you'll get all the kit necessary. All we ask is for your time, which shouldn't involve more than an of hour in total per site (setting up and taking down).


      If you think you may be able to help, please visit our dedicated Spring Survey web page, where you can click on the tetrad nearest you, follow the link to a dedicated page on our website and fill in the volunteer form.




      Thank you in advance and we look forward to hearing from you.


      Jan Ferguson & Nigel Lorriman

      Spring Survey 2026 coordinators

       
       
       

      Fascinating and addictive Red Squirrel Cam

        On a recent visit to RSPB Loch Leven, near Kinross, Anne and I were fortunate enough to join a red squirrel walk through the woodland beside the visitor centre.


        Installed just a few metres from the path is a well-stocked squirrel feeder. Armed with binoculars, it is possible to watch as three or four characters visit the station in turn to snaffle the abundant peanuts, only pausing to scratch or fend-off another hungry red.


        Fortunately, for those of us who don't live close to Kinross, RSPB have very kindly installed a webcam which, 24 hours a day, captures live footage of the aformentioned squirrels, various opportunistic bird species and, we are told - in the dead of night - a pine marten or two.


        Red squirrel at RSPB Loch Leven
        Red squirrel at RSPB Loch Leven

        Since we arrived home we've been fascinated by the live footage. It's amazing how quickly you can pick up on the individuals - lighter or darker tails, ear tufts or not, subtle differences in the way they hold the nuts to eat and how some are more dominant than others.


        Why not take a look yourselves, you won't be disappointed!


         
         
         
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