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Rarely seen Sciurus vulgaris The red squirrel is found in both coniferous forest and temperate broad-leaf woodland. The squirrel makes a drey (nest) out of twigs in a branch-fork, forming a domed structure about 25 to 30 cm in diameter. This is lined with moss, leaves, grass and bark. Tree hollows and woodpecker holes are also used. The red squirrel is a solitary animal and is shy and reluctant to share food with others. However, outside the breeding season and particularly in winter, several red squirrels may share a drey to keep warm. Social organization is based on dominance hierarchies within and between sexes; although males are not necessarily dominant to females, the dominant animals tend to be larger and older than subordinate animals, and dominant males tend to have larger home ranges than subordinate males or females. all pics are public domain - right click - 'save as' to download
A. Policy and Legislation - Red Squirrels and the Law (UKRSG 2004, PDF 41kb)
Please note a recent Act has come into force in Scotland, The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004, the details of which have not yet been incorporated into this advice note. For further information on Scottish law protecting red squirrels please see the Scottish Natural Heritage and Scottish Government websites. - Release of red squirrels Sciurus vulgaris into the wild in Britain (UKRSG 2004 revised, PDF 44kb)
- UK Strategy for Red Squirrel Conservation, Implementation plan ( UKRSG 2004, PDF 15kb)
 B. Site and Species Management - UK Priorities site selection paper (PDF 583kb)
- Controlling Grey Squirrel Damage to Woodlands (Forestry Commission FCPN4 revised 2004,PDF 569kb).
- Red Squirrel Conservation (Forestry Commission FCPN5, 2001 revised, PDF 251kb)
- Urban grey squirrels (Defra 2001 PDF 67kb)
- Habitat Use by red and grey squirrels: results of two recent studies and implications for management. Forestry Commission Practice Note 076
C. Practical Support of Local Red Squirrels The UKRSG does not recommend supplementary feeding for red squirrels as feeding station pose many possible risks. Grey squirrels may be attracted into the area; feeding stations act as a focal point to spread disease; they entice squirrels to cross exposed route and roads (putting them in the paths of cars and cats) and artificially boost the population. An alternative would be to encourage the growth of their preferred food plants in your garden. However, if red squirrels are already coming to your garden and bird feeders or you wish to attract them please read the following guidance. - Supplementary Feeding in Gardens (UKRSG 2004, PDF 55kb).
- Supplementary feeding in private woodlands - To come
D. Research and Monitoring - Practical Techniques for Surveying and Monitoring Squirrels (Forestry Commission FCPN11, PDF 2.93Mb)
- 2. UK BAP 2002 reporting round information on red squirrels - UK BAP red squirrel
- Developing a monitoring strategy for red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) across the UK. (JNCC report)
download pic (hi-res) E. Disease - Poxvirus - general information (UKRSG 2004 amended, PDF 35kb)
- Poxvirus research, Thomas et al. (2003) (Journal of General Virology, 84: 3337-3341, PDF 126 kb)
- Adenovirus infection, Duff et al (2007) Enteric adenovirus infection in a red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). The Veterinary Record March 17, 2007: 384.
- Modelling squirrelpox threat, Gurnell et al (2006) Squirrel poxvirus; landscape scale strategies for managing disease threat. Biological Conservation 131: 287-295.
- Squirrelpx genetics, McInnes et al (2006) Genomic characterisation of a novel poxvirus contributing to the decline of the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in the UK. Journal General Virology 87: 2115-2125.
- Squirrelpox impact Rushton et al, (2006) Disease threats posed by alien species: the role of a poxvirus in the decline of the native red squirrel in Britain. Epidemiology and Infection 134: 521-533.
 F. Education, Advisory and Further Reading For additional information on red squirrel natural history, distribution and international news and research please go to the following links: - Save our Squirrels
- The Red Squirrel South Scotland Project has further information and guidance: RSSS Information
- The Mammal Society Red Squirrel Fact Sheet
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