Red Squirrel

This red squirrel posed for photographs in the garden today. We knew that they were in the area but this is the first time we?ve noticed them brave enough to come and help themselves to the bird food.

They are under threat from the grey squirrel:

?Scotland is home to over 75% of Britain?s endangered red squirrels with the country representing one of the last strongholds for the species in the UK.
?Incursion by pox carrying grey squirrels from England is now the single largest threat to red squirrels in Scotland. The Squirrelpox virus is harmless to greys but is lethal to the native reds, with squirrels dying a horrible death over two weeks. The Squirrelpox virus also has the devastating effect of speeding up the rate at which grey squirrels displace and replace reds (usually about 15 years)?

www.red-squirrels.org.uk

You can report any sightings at the website above.