Squirrels by Sarah J. Dodd

This is the time of year when human behaviour begins to resemble that of a squirrel – we stay indoors more, find it difficult to get out of bed, and begin to store up supplies for the festive season!

During November it is a common sight to see squirrels running about in the fallen leaves, searching for nuts. They will then bury the nuts in the ground, or sometimes in a suitable hollow, ready to eat at a later date. This store of food may be essential during the winter, as squirrels do not hibernate – although their thick walled nests, called dreys, are warm and snug, and they may snooze away a few days during a spell of particularly cold weather. The scattered stores of nuts not only provide nourishment for the squirrels, but those that are forgotten will remain in the ground and grow into new trees, helping to maintain the forest ecosystem.

But why is it that most of the squirrels we see are grey ones, rather than the more striking red ones? The red squirrel is one of the best loved native animals in Britain, and with its rich, russet colouring, tufted ears and inquisitive nature, it is easy to see why many people find it so appealing. But Cumbria is one of the few remaining places in Britain where it may be seen in the wild.

Until the late 1800s, red squirrels were the only type of squirrel living in Europe. But in 1870, a small number of grey squirrels were brought over from America and released in Cheshire. This decision marked the beginning of a decline in red squirrels, particularly since the 1940s.

Research has shown that grey squirrels are more robust than their red relatives, able to put on more body fat and win the competition for food and space. Grey squirrels will live in gardens and parks as well as large woods and forests. I have even witnessed a grey squirrel living inside a stone wall on a bleak, windswept Lakeland summit, with not a tree in sight.

It is this ability to live in many different habitats that may hold the key to the success of the grey squirrel. They also carry the squirrel pox virus, to which they are immune, but which is fatal to red squirrels. Truly a case of visiting relatives overstaying their welcome!
To find out more about red squirrels and how you can help to conserve them visit saveoursquirrels.org.