The blahblah of the forum

[NottinghamWhite]

Christmas decorations down that’s that for another year.

[ChilwellWhite]

I always thought squirrels hibernated ? Well we have a couple frequenting the garden so obviously not.

Red or grey?

Grey unfortunately I do like red squirrels I must admit. Nearest populations are In Northumberland although a friend who was on holiday in the Isle of Wight a couple of years back reckoned he saw them there. Slightly off topic I once sat 8 hours whilst on holiday in Scotland at a “ guaranteed “ Pine Martin site. Yes you’ve guessed never saw one, still remains my British mammal I’d love to see.

[psquithy]

I always thought squirrels hibernated ? Well we have a couple frequenting the garden so obviously not.

Red or grey?

Grey unfortunately I do like red squirrels I must admit. Nearest populations are In Northumberland although a friend who was on holiday in the Isle of Wight a couple of years back reckoned he saw them there. Slightly off topic I once sat 8 hours whilst on holiday in Scotland at a “ guaranteed “ Pine Martin site. Yes you’ve guessed never saw one, still remains my British mammal I’d love to see.

I know it is cheating, but if you are ever near East Grinstead in Sussex pay this place a visit - closed for the moment though:
https://britishwildlifecentre.co.uk/

[Sniffer]

I always thought squirrels hibernated ? Well we have a couple frequenting the garden so obviously not.

Red or grey?

Grey unfortunately I do like red squirrels I must admit. Nearest populations are In Northumberland although a friend who was on holiday in the Isle of Wight a couple of years back reckoned he saw them there. Slightly off topic I once sat 8 hours whilst on holiday in Scotland at a “ guaranteed “ Pine Martin site. Yes you’ve guessed never saw one, still remains my British mammal I’d love to see.

I can vouch for that. The other half has family on the island so we're over there quite a bit. Last saw one when we visited Osborne House before the pandemic and there are reputed to be quite a few that live on the adjoining golf course.

[johnh]

When I was growing up in Liverpool, there were only red squirrels.

[LAsouthcoast]

I think there are red squirrels on brownsea Island across the water from Poole in Dorset.

[kk white]

I always thought squirrels hibernated ? Well we have a couple frequenting the garden so obviously not.

Red or grey?

Grey unfortunately I do like red squirrels I must admit. Nearest populations are In Northumberland although a friend who was on holiday in the Isle of Wight a couple of years back reckoned he saw them there. Slightly off topic I once sat 8 hours whilst on holiday in Scotland at a “ guaranteed “ Pine Martin site. Yes you’ve guessed never saw one, still remains my British mammal I’d love to see.

One climbed into my wheely bin a few years ago. I got the fright of my life, had no idea what was rustling around in there. Looked in and saw what I thought was a foxy face. Rolled the bin out to the gate and turned it onto its side... No movement. I peered in again (from about 10 yards away), and bold as brass he stared back at me. I had to tip the bin upside down before he scampered away

Funnily enough, Irish for Pine Martin is Cat Crainn (tree cat) and the townland I live in is translated as Meadow of the Cat - used to be abundant here many years ago.

[Selby White]

I always thought squirrels hibernated ? Well we have a couple frequenting the garden so obviously not.

Red or grey?

Grey unfortunately I do like red squirrels I must admit. Nearest populations are In Northumberland although a friend who was on holiday in the Isle of Wight a couple of years back reckoned he saw them there. Slightly off topic I once sat 8 hours whilst on holiday in Scotland at a “ guaranteed “ Pine Martin site. Yes you’ve guessed never saw one, still remains my British mammal I’d love to see.

I can vouch for that. The other half has family on the island so we're over there quite a bit. Last saw one when we visited Osborne House before the pandemic and there are reputed to be quite a few that live on the adjoining golf course.

Found this on a wildlife website -

The introduction of the grey squirrel from North America caused our native red squirrel numbers to plummet, perhaps partly due to competition from the larger American, but also due to the ‘squirrel pox’ virus carried by the greys, which can cause entire populations of red squirrel to die out. Scotland and Ireland are where the red squirrel now has its main strongholds. In England, red squirrels only survive on the Isle of Wight and Brownsea Island, where there are no greys, on the Formby coast, and in the extensive pine forests of Northumberland and the Lake District. Things aren’t much better in Wales, although Anglesey has recently been declared grey squirrel free.

[kk white]

That article saying Ireland is a stronghold should emphasise that it is only relative to other countries. I can't speak for Scotland, but the Red was very nearly extinct here. It's making a comeback, but only ever so slight. Long way to go. Fingers crossed, they're beautiful creatures.

[NottinghamWhite]

We have friends in Solihull & Jane had an extensive collection of Capo de Monte until a squirrel somehow got into their house. To say she wasn’t happy is an understatement.