Red squirrel numbers on the rise in Scotland, survey finds

[Still Waters]

A survey of red squirrels in Scotland suggests that efforts to increase their numbers have been successful.

The Great Scottish Squirrel Survey found they were returning to the Aberdeen area and that the number of greys had decreased.

Over many years, the reds retreated further northwards and concerns grew that they could be wiped out.

During the fourth annual survey week in October, 659 participants reported 255 grey squirrel and 510 red squirrel sightings - more than triple the number reported in a typical week.

The data influences conservation work carried out by Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels, a project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust that has been working to save the species for the last 14 years.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-64358926