Our milestones
16 January 2023 A presentation is given to the Bute Museum and Natural History Society, covering the Project’s progress since it’s inception in March, 2022. This was very well received by the members attending, and within days was followed up by a talk on Bute Radio by Malcolm Newdick and Barbara Rimmington. The aim was to raise the
10 January 2023 Volunteers have been busy setting up feeders and trailcams in many of the island’s woods. Every 6 weeks these are moved on to new locations, and by the end of 2022 we have found squirrel(s) in Rhubodach – Feb/Mar, Barrmore – Aug/Sep, Woodend – Sep, Bardarroch – Oct/Nov, Cnocnicoll – Nov
2 September 2022 Since we are now able to produce compilation videos showing squirrel(s) visiting a particular feeder, setting up a Youtube channel allowed us to showcase these to the public, and also provide a way of accessing the videos from the website, an exciting prospect! Our thanks to Barbara Rimmington for setting the channel up for us.
23 August 2022 Four new squirrel feeders were sited in Lenihuline Woods in July 2022, after the reported sighting by the entomologists there earlier in the month. A camera was placed at one of the feeders, but so far has only caught bird activity (a female great spotted woodpecker on 25th July, and a nuthatch on 14th August).
10 August 2022 In July of 2022, the Bute Red Squirrel Project website is up and running. After a presentation to the Museum’s committee, it is agreed that the website can be formally linked to Bute Museum and Natural History Society’s own webpage. The link is found under the Groups menu on their main page. Thanks are due
4 July 2022 New Red squirrel sighting! On Sunday morning (3rd July 2022) three of the participants in an entomologists’ meeting who had set moth traps in South Wood of Lenihuline saw a Red Squirrel. It was on the ground investigating one of their moth traps. The map shows the approximate location. This is exciting news because it’s
23 June 2022 In mid-June 2022, 4 squirrel feeders were put up, with 3 cameras. One was sited in Achamore Wood, one in Chapelton Plantation, and two in Barmore Wood. The camera caught a brief glimpse of a red squirrel at one of the feeders in Barmore Wood (the image is a still from the field camera).
18 June 2022 4 Feeders with 3 trail cameras moved from Rhubodach Forest and placed in the Loch Fad area.
7 March 2022 Facebook page up and running, allowing us to reach out to our community and beyond.
24 February 2022 A significant day for us. First, 4 new feeders, 3 with trail cameras, are set up in Rhubodach Forest. Also, our sightings are being accepted by Scottish Squirrels and added to their map.
15 February 2022 The first public meeting for the Squirrel Project, establishing both the current situation and the aims and objectives for the future.
29 January 2022 Exciting news…. the first photograph of a red squirrel on the island is taken by John Wiliams.
20 January 2022 The project is set up with the objective of establishing thriving populations of red squirrels in all suitable areas of the Isle of Bute and will be part of the Bute Museum and Natural History Society. Its aim is to find out why we don’t have a successful red squirrel population, establish what needs to
Bute Museum Presentation and Bute Radio
By the end of 2022
Youtube Channel created for our videos
More new Squirrel Feeders
Website for the Squirrel Project
Red Squirrels on Bute – Sightings
New Squirrel Feeders
Moving on to Loch Fad
Our Facebook page is set up
New feeders and trail cameras
First meeting
First picture
How it all started