Busy time at Borders Schools Day

Twelve hundred Primary 5 school children descend on poor old Hazel

On Tuesday 20th May 2025, Central Borders Red Squirrel Network attended the annual Border Union Schools Countryside Education Day, held at Springwood Park, Kelso. In attendance were committee members Jan Ferguson, Bill Ferguson, Nigel Lorriman, plus member Liz Kiteley. And for 3 hours, our very own Hazel was interacting with hundreds of children until, that is, the heat got to him and he had to retire back to his drey for a well-earned rest.

Fresh-faced Hazel, Jan & Bill before the onslaught!

School children learning about red squirrels from our very own Jan Ferguson

The event is a fantastic opportunity for us to spread the word about our conservation activities and to educate a new generation about the threats posed to red squirrels, specifically in our region. Your membership fees help us to attend such days, so thank you for your continued support.

Hazel needed protection from the local police when things got busy!

Squirrelpox detected near Selkirk

Squirrel pox virus

It is with a heavy heart that we report at least one, and possibly two cases of squirrelpox (SQPV) in woodland outside Selkirk. The red squirrel in question was discovered on a track by a local wildlife enthusiast, who immediately reported it to a professional. The squirrel died soon after and was sent to the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, who have confirmed the presence of SQPV.

This news is particularly sad given that we and many volunteers and landowners in the area have been working hard to control greys and the location of the infected animal is in what was considered to be a red squirrel stronghold.

How to spot SQPV

Symptoms include lethargic behaviour, weeping scabs around the eyes, nose, ears, feet and genitalia. It is almost always fatal within 10-15 days, but it is not a threat to humans as long as you take precautions when handling feeders and infected red squirrels.

Detailed instructions can be found on our website here

What can you do?

It is our responsibility to remind everyone of the protocol in such situations in order that we can mitigate against the spread of SQPV into other individuals.

• Take in all wildlife feeders for the next 4-6 weeks and thoroughly clean with an anti-viral solution

• Take photos and report sightings of sick or dead red squirrels to bordersredsquirrels@gmail.com

• Post dead red squirrel carcasses for post-mortem analysis

• Call the SSPCA on 03000 999999 if you spot a sick or lethargic red squirrel, and also notify us.

Please remain vigilant, especially if you live in or near Selkirk.

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

AGM will soon be upon us

Denholm village hall

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

Feeder and trail camera

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