Feeling squirrely

Photos by Barry Wallace

Red Squirrel

Black Squirrel

Grey Squirrel

I've been feeling guilty recently for having replaced some of our hanging bird feeders with new models that are much more squirrel-proof.   Now the squirrels can't get at the seeds in the feeders anymore and have to settle for what the birds dislodge and let fall to the ground.   It seems the squirrels are not getting the quantity of seeds they have gotten used to in winters past.   They still look plump in mid-December, but I 'm a little concerned about what happens to them in January and February.   There is a flowering crab apple tree nearby (see bottom photo above) which the squirrels have always worked away at during winters past, but this year they have already stripped that tree's fruit.   I'm hoping the squirrels will just bury themselves in their huge leafy nests and hibernate until March maybe, but I'm thinking I may need to have a 'Plan B' in place, in the new year, just in case.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace