More than 2,500 sightings of red and grey squirrels were reported during this year’s Great Scottish Squirrel Survey.
The public have been praised for their role in helping “critical” red squirrel conservation efforts, as work continues to protect them from the invasive greys.
Loch Lomondside remains a key area for conservationists, with greys continuing to be spotted in historically “red-only zones”.
Scotland is home to the vast majority of the UK’s red squirrel population – an estimated 80% of them live in the West Highlands from Balloch northwards through the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
But the native species is under threat from the invasive grey, and it’s the job of conservationists to keep them as far south as possible.
The week-long, nationwide, Great Scottish Squirrel Survey played a pivotal role in allowing them to do just that.
Susie McNaughton, the regional lead for Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that there has been more sightings this year than last year – a 30% increase in the number of squirrel sightings from the general public, and that lets us have a good snapshot of what’s going on at this moment for the distribution of squirrels.”
But it’s been a year of mixed fortunes for Scotland’s red squirrels.
Public sightings have proved more important than ever, especially here in Highland Perthshire, with greys being detected travelling northwards.
Communities are being encouraged to report their sightings to Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels throughout the year, which will help conservationists to stop greys dominating as they do south of the border.
Susie added: “The rivers are often routes by which grey squirrels travel northwards into those red only populations of the Highlands, so we absolutely keep our eye on what’s going on along rivers and the towns near them.”
Regular visitors to Glasgow will have noticed that the grey squirrel population in the leafy West End of the city, while few if any reds have been reported there.
Conservationists say the future is looking good for red squirrels, provided the population is protected from squirrelpox – a deadly virus carried by greys.
“Squirrelpox can spread very rapidly and decimate red populations if it reaches them,” Susie added.
“So we’re now more high alert. We do test regularly for squirrelpox antibodies in grey squirrels in certain areas.
“Up here at the moment, we’re not expecting the pox, but we’re keeping our eye on it.”