COUNTRYSIDE MANAGEMENT student Cheryl Murray is going nuts.

Her Honours degree dissertation, underway at the Aberdeen campus of Scotland's Rural College, requires her to find out how squirrels prefer to cross the road - but she can't watch every crossing point, so she is hoping that the public can help.

"I am trying to assess how often squirrels cross roads and, if they use squirrel bridges, how often they choose them," explained Cheryl.

"I have been monitoring squirrel bridges in Ellon, Banchory and near Oldmeldrum. The locals in Ellon have been particularly helpful, but I can't be everywhere and wonder if I could ask bright eyed members of the public for assistance."

Cheryl started her studies with an HND in Countryside Management from SRUC's Elmwood Campus in Fife and moved to Craibstone to complete a BSc. For her fourth year project, she is researching the effectiveness of squirrel bridges such as those erected some time ago by the Ellon Biodiversity Action Group.

Although there have been reports that the rope bridges are used by local red squirrels, it is not known how often squirrels use the bridges instead of simply running across the road.

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels project officer Steve Willis commented: "The installation of squirrel bridges is often advocated to reduce the impact of new roads, but we don't know how effective these actually are in reducing squirrel deaths.

"It is really important to get reports from the public about sightings of red squirrels, both live and dead. Proper data on how many squirrels are killed on the roads will help us understand how big the problem is, and how to reduce the impacts of road developments on squirrel populations."

A squirrel bridge is often just a rope suspended over the road, or two parallel thick ropes with a zigzag of thin rope between them. Red squirrels often forage on the ground, and unfortunately, many do not have road sense, leading to an unknown number being killed each year on the roads.

Cheryl added: "I've spent many hours monitoring the study sites, but squirrels don't cross the road very often. If the public were willing to help by reporting any sightings there is an online form on the Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels website at www.scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/what-we-do/scotlands-red-squirrels/squirrel-sightings/

"It is easy to fill out, and also allows you to pinpoint the exact location on a map. Anyone seeing a squirrel, recently or in the past, can use the site, or e mail me on squirrels@student.sruc.ac.uk "

A new National Certificate in Countryside Management offered at Craibstone, starting in February 2015, will broaden the student cohort and will be an ideal introduction to the subject for school leavers or mature people who want to re-train. It provides plenty of practical experience, something essential for countryside and rural careers. For further information on countryside and environment courses offered at SRUC Aberdeen, contact pat.wightman@sruc.ac.uk or john.macdonald@sruc.ac.uk