MULTIPLE red squirrel sightings have been reported in Helensburgh and Lomond recently, confirming their presence where they haven’t been seen before.

Wildlife project Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels had record participation in its national squirrel survey, which ran in September, and the results included welcome news for Argyll with the native creatures spotted on more than one occasion between Dumbarton and Helensburgh, just north of Cardross.

Further sightings have been recorded in Garelochhead, around Arrochar and on the Rosneath peninsula.

Helensburgh Advertiser: Red squirrel sightings in Helensburgh and Lomond in 2020Red squirrel sightings in Helensburgh and Lomond in 2020

More than 2,000 people logged over 3,000 sightings of red and grey squirrels, almost eight times as many sightings as would be reported in a typical week and almost four times the number of sightings received in the 2019 campaign, creating a Scotland-wide snapshot and providing valuable data for conservationists.

A total of 548 grey squirrel and 2,612 red squirrel sightings were reported, and sightings suggest that Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park remains a red-only zone.

The full results can be seen online at scottishsquirrels.org.uk.

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