Why are there so few red squirrels on Bute?

In 2022, a red squirrel was photographed on Bute. Unlike the frequent sightings reported in other parts of Argyll and on Arran, there had been very few confirmed sightings on Bute. Something is limiting their numbers, and local conservationists want to find out why.
Local resident Malcolm Newdick delivered a talk on January 20 at Bute Museum outlining the steps being taken to unravel this mystery. Since the formation of the Red Squirrel Project in March 2022, local volunteers have played a crucial role in monitoring squirrel activity and collecting important data. Using feeders and trail cameras, they were able to identify several sites on the island where squirrels were active, albeit in small numbers.
Last year, Dr Rebecca Synnott from the South-East Technological University in Waterford, Ireland, secured funding to investigate the genetic composition of red squirrels on Bute and assess the relatedness and health of the population.
It is thought that the possible reasons for their limited numbers could be food shortages during the year. They may be trapped in a particular area, lacking a woodland corridor to move about freely. This may cause the population to become inbred and genetically weakened. It could be that there has been a change in an established population, such as disease; they may have only recently arrived on Bute, or there may be some other cause.
Once the causes have been identified, measures can be taken to help the red squirrels to survive and flourish. Dr Rebecca Synnott is collaborating with local volunteers to collect genetic evidence from the red squirrels. To do this, 1020 hair tubes have been placed in areas where red squirrels are known to be active. These tubes, made from pieces of drainpipe with a single-entry point, contain food to attract squirrels. When squirrels retrieve the food, a few hairs are deposited on a sticky patch inside the tube. The follicles from these hairs are then used for mitochondrial DNA analysis. The squirrels are not deterred by the sticky patch and make multiple visits to these tubes.
Volunteers have braved all weather conditions to collect samples from the hair tubes weekly for nine weeks at each of the seven sites. Thanks to their careful work, a total of 327 high-quality samples have been sent for analysis. They now await the results of this piece of research.
Dr Synnott’s genetic analysis will answer important questions: Where did Bute’s red squirrels come from? Are groups in different areas genetically distinct, or are they all closely related? Is there evidence of disease-causing viruses or bacteria in the population? The answers will guide project volunteers in making changes to support the squirrels and help them thrive.
The Red Squirrel Project is committed to understanding why Bute’s red squirrels are struggling and to creating a better environment for them. The contribution of local volunteers is crucial – they make conservation possible and help ensure a brighter future for wildlife on the island.
Learn more about the Red Squirrel Project from the Bute Museum website.
The next talk, featuring naturalist and broadcaster Lucy Lapwing, will take place on February 3. She will share stories about the fascinating lives of Bute’s smallest creatures in The BIG drama of little lives of Bute.