Who's Visiting the Feeder? Discover Aberdeen's Squirrels

Join us for an interactive workshop as part of the Aberdeen City Wide BioBlitz to discover how feeder boxes, hair analysis and thermal scopes can be used to monitor and identify red and grey squirrels.

Learn how these simple but effective techniques help us track squirrel populations, understand their distribution, and support the conservation of Scotland's native red squirrels. You'll see how feeder boxes work, how collected samples are analysed using microscopes, and how members of the public can contribute to wildlife monitoring.

Whether you're a wildlife enthusiast, volunteer, student, or simply curious about local biodiversity, this workshop offers a hands-on introduction to practical conservation methods and how you can get involved in protecting Scotland's wildlife.

Note: This session will take place outdoors at the JHI campus, followed by a short session using microscopes indoors. Thermal scope use will be weather dependent Dress for the weather. We will cross some uneven ground so wear suitable shoes. No dogs allowed.

Location –

Meeting point: James Hutton Institute – by squirrel feeder on the main avenue NJ 90589 04659 W3W: ///carry.short.piles

Date and time –

Friday 14 August 2pm – 3.30 pm

Audience –

Max 20 capacity. Suitable for all ages. No previous experience is required.

Cost –

Free event

Access -

If you have visited the James Hutton Institute before but have not been here recently, please note that access is now via Countesswells Road rather than Macaulay Drive.

The route from the car park to the meeting locations is mostly on a tarmacked path with a gentle incline. However, the feeder is located just off the old access road, where the ground may be uneven underfoot.

Toilets and a café are available at the James Hutton Institute, both of which are accessible via level flooring.

For more information, contact [email protected].