Joy as red squirrels make inroads in Granite City

Red squirrels are returning to Aberdeen for the first time in almost 30 years.

The much-loved rodents were once a common sight in parks and woodlands.

But their populations have declined due to rising numbers of grey squirrels competing with them for food and shelter.

In recent weeks there have been four sightings of the under-threat species throughout the Granite City. This includes one just yesterday in Westburn Park. Elsewhere, one was spotted in the grounds of the James Hutton Institute in Craigiebuckler, while there were two sightings near St Peter’s Cemetery on King Street.

There are around 120,000 red squirrels in the UK, with three-quarters of these in Scotland.

Earlier this year the Scottish Wildlife Trust began its Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels campaign.

Conservationist Gwen Maggs said: “These sightings are fantastic news for the project, which has been continuously working to reduce grey squirrel numbers in the city since 2009.

“We are beginning to see red squirrel populations establishing themselves in key areas, such as Seaton Park and around the James Hutton Institute, which is enabling individuals to move even further into urban areas.

“This shows that the control of grey squirrels is enabling red squirrels recover in Aberdeen.”

One of the sightings was reported by Professor David Elston, director of biomathematics and statistics Scotland at the James Hutton Institute.

He said: “It’s several months now since I last saw a grey squirrel in the trees outside my office window, and I have heard about recent sightings of red squirrels not too far away.

“But to see a red squirrel on the Hutton site gave a lift to my day.” to

Red squirrels remain an under-threat species BY JAMES WYLLIE