Bute Red Squirrel Project

Welcome to Bute Red Squirrel Project

Red squirrels have long been rumoured to live on Bute and there have been occasional very credible sightings. But since 2005, when there was a road casualty red squirrel*, there has been no incontrovertible evidence of their existence. Then, on 29 January 2022, John Williams photographed a red squirrel in Rhubodach Forest (that’s our cover photo).

The Bute Red Squirrel project is hoping to answer questions such as “How widespread are red squirrels in Bute?”, “Why are there so few sightings?” and “How can we help the squirrel population grow and thrive across the island?”.
How you can help
You can help in two ways:
1. Report any squirrel sightings, either red or grey squirrels, dead or alive. Post your sighting here. If you can, please get a photograph and submit it too, no matter how bad it is! Our wildlife experts will examine all photos carefully.
2. Report any evidence of squirrels that you find here. One good sign is chewed pine cones. Again, please submit a photo to help us verify the information.
All reports will help to build a picture of where squirrels might be found. We can then carry out further investigations in these areas. The gaps, where people do not see squirrels, are equally important because they will pinpoint woodlands that our red squirrels cannot reach.
It would be great to know that we have helped to improve the island’s biodiversity. And it would be lovely to be able to visit feeders in the woods one day soon and see these beautiful animals.
*The 2005 red squirrel was stuffed and you can see it on display in Bute Museum. 

 

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