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AGM at Denholm Village Hall 6:00pm Wed 30th April

AGM will soon be upon us

Open to all current members (you can join or renew on the day if you like), our AGM is an opportunity for us to communicate everything that we and our members have been up to over the past year.

There will be presentations from the committee on such subjects as

Grey squirrel control and red squirrel population update
Website and comms report
Cross-border Spring Survey progress
Past and future events

More details and a full agenda will be sent out on 10th April, but if you'd like to raise any topics for discussion then please let us know anytime at bordersredsquirrels@gmail.com

Spring Survey is underway

With eleven 2kmx2km "tetrads" to cover within our area, we are extremely grateful for the support of members who have volunteered to undertake the survey in one or more tetrads. The survey began on 1st March and will run until 31st May, but we will be reporting on progress so far at the AGM.

Michelle Stamp departs for pastures new

One of our trustees and long-term supporter, Michelle Stamp has moved to the Isle Of Lewis to continue her work with Nature Scot and to support crofters on the island. She will continue to be a trustee and will support the group whenever she can. The committee and wider membership would like to wish Michelle much success in her new role with Nature Scot and we'll miss her enthusiasm, expertise and wit.

Michelle cutting into her island-themed cake

BBC's Beechgrove Garden meets Hazel

Those of you who made it to the Potato Day in Kelso this year will have spotted a crew from BBC's Beechgrove Garden doing some filming for an up-coming episode.

Hazel, never backward at coming forward, grabbed a quick selfie with Calum Clunie.

Hazel meets Calum Clunie from Beechgrove

Potato Day, Spring Survey latest and updated squirrel stats

It's a packed newsletter this month with a reminder about Potato Day in Kelso on the 2nd March, the latest news on the Spring Survey and some revised information about the UK's red squirrel population.

Borders Organic Gardeners Potato Day - Sunday 2nd March 2025

Running from 11:00am-3:00pm, there's sure to be a queue to get in and this year BBC's Beechgrove Garden will be there filming the event.

So, if you're interested in getting your hands on the best seed potatos around, or even some onion setts, then this is the place to be. But that's not all - we'll have a stand at the show as will many local charities, organisations, craftspeople, foodstalls and a whole lot more. And Hazel will be making an appearance, hoping to get on the telly! https://bordersorganicgardeners.org/potatoday/

Due to some committee member absence this year, we're looking for three or four volunteers to help out with our stand during the day. If you can spare a couple of hours, or more, then please email us bordersredsquirrels@gmail.com

Spring Survey 2025

We are now almost ready for the start of the Spring survey on the 1st March and thank you to all of the volunteers who are involved. We couldn't do it without your help.

The survey runs for three months and involves the placing of a squirrel feeder box and a camera in a designated place where squirrels (of both species) may visit, for the period of fourteen days. The camera takes a photo whevever a squirrel visits the feeder and at the end of the fourteen days we take it all down, scan through the photos and record the maximum number of each squirrel species on the feeder at any one time.

We have eleven 2kmx2km "Tetrads" in our study area and each one will contain two separate sites.

Eleven "Tetrads" within our project area

All volunteers will be contacted soon for training, but please bear with us while we work through the logistics of the operation.

AGM - Denholm Village Hall 6:00pm, Wednesday 30th April 2025

A very important event every year is our AGM and an opportunity for members to learn about our conservation activities, make suggestions and meet other like-minded individuals. We will send out further details closer to the event, but please put the date in your diary. It's free to attend and includes refreshments (AKA Tea, Coffee and cake).

Latest squirrel stats

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels has updated its estimate on the population numbers of red squirrels in Scotland. They now believe that there are 287,000 individuals throught the UK, 80% of which are in Scotland (approx. 220,000).

The Mammal Society's research on the topic can be found here.

Gift Aid request

Gift Aid is a scheme whereby we can reclaim tax on all donations given by our members, at no cost to the individual. It means that, as long as you are a UK tax payer, we can recoup from the Treasury 25p for every £1 you donate (membership fees and donations).

In order to help us make this claim, we need you to complete the following online form (click the image to access). It costs you nothing, but makes a massive difference to us.

Thank you.

Click the above image to visit our Gift Aid form

Volunteer for our Spring 2025 Squirrel Survey

Updated: Jan 29

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