It’s a grey area but could this be Badenoch’s thin end of the wedge?

The alarm has gone up in Badenoch after a reported sighting of a grey squirrel, but there has as yet been no confirmation.

Last night Facebook carried a notification from Aviemore & Spey Valley Community Issues Forum with a none-too-clear photograph.

“Grey squirrel sighting in Kingussie!” posted Rachel Avery.

“There’s been a recent sighting of a grey squirrel in Kingussie (Campbell Crescent).

“This is very bad news indeed if true for our native red squirrels.

“If anyone in Kingussie, or nearby areas, sees a possible grey squirrel please try to take a pic if possible and report to Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels. Thank you!

The website has figures this year of these sightings across the country:

Red 3196

Grey 1412

“How you can help in the north east of Scotland:

“Help us monitor the situation by submitting a squirrel sighting to our website – we are particularly keen to hear from you if you have seen a grey squirrel as every sighting counts at this stage of the eradication process.

“Take action for red squirrels by joining our trap-loan scheme.

“Send any found dead red squirrels for post mortem to the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary. Studies. Inform your closest member of SSRS staff that you have done so.

“Volunteering with Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is a fantastic way to connect with nature and support your local area’s special native wildlife. Our volunteers are provided with the training and resources they need to participate”

Local red squirrel supporters in the strath were alarmed at the thought of the ‘thin end of the wedge’ appearing in the area, which is famed as the last bastion of the truly ‘red’ squirrel in and around Rothiemurchus and Inshriach.

Paul Wells advised: “Reds can look like greys this time of year, ear tufts are the give away, reds have ear tufts. This picture is not clear enough, but it does look like a grey, unfortunately.”

Steve Johnstone offered: “I'm happy to deal with this in a humane way.”

Stuart Joshua Tree pointed out that he had heard a few have been spotted in Forres..

We will have more this issue as soon as the situation becomes clearer, but Strathy readers who spot anything resembling a grey is welcome to let us know as well as the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels.

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