This month my five are of the nests that the busy busy squirrels have been making in the trees about the neighbourhood. There is one tree that has 3-4 nests in it, which we have named the condo tree. Squirrels can be territorial so the majority of trees will have one nest. Most of the nests seemed to have been built in a branch crotch, but one brave little soul built at the very top of a tree. I am worried for him in the midst of a winter wind.
In the trees on our property it seems our squirrels aren't that good at nest building as they have all fallen apart. Mr Man & I often wonder if we built nest platforms would the squirrels use but then again it's a really bad idea as we don't want to encourage the squirrels to nest & raise a family in our yard as they can be quite problematic & destructive. I also question their logic, why not built your nest in an evergreen tree, that way you, Ms Squirrel will have more protection from the winter elements.
Thankfully our beloved chipmunks nest underground!
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| Condo Tree |
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| The Risk Taker - built at the very top of the tree |
I can understand you not wanting to encourage the squirrels because they are interesting to watch scuttering among the branches, but very destructive if they get into your home or outbuildings. These photos make an interesting collection and I agree that is a brave squirrel who has built a nest at the top! We don't have chipmunks here and l wonder if these are destructive and considered a pest too. Thank you for joining in this month, l enjoyed your tree art!
ReplyDeleteChipmunks can be pests & quite quickly because they will become trusting & climb up on you for treats. Chipmunks are naughty at digging in flower pots & gardens to feast on bulbs.
DeleteWe have a good number of squirrels but I haven't noticed any nests. I'll be on the lookout for them.
ReplyDeleteI think for every successful nest built, there seems to be 3 that fall apart plus we have noticed about mid winter the Blue Jays attack the nests & we wonder if it's because the squirrels have seed & nuts stored in the nest.
DeleteWow - amazing - the photos and the busy squirrels. I guess I never thought about where squirrels nest, and since we have so many conifers I doubt I've ever seen a nest. Wonderful post. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteI am sure there has been a study done on squirrels but nothing I have seem. Our native blacks do seem to have different nesting habits to the greys which are not native ... I wonder if I could get grant money to study further! (lol)
DeleteSome serious nests there! Grey squirrels are viewed as a pest here. They are not native and destroy the red squirrels . They eat birds eggs , they damage young trees, they gorge on bird feeders...... Shall I go on?!
ReplyDeleteThe Greys are not native to Canada but we have a huge population. All the squirrels are a pest problem in communities & countryside but nothing as bad as the raccoons ... Our native reds are dwindling faster than the grey population exploding but our native blacks seem to be holding their own.
DeleteGreat photos! I love the condo tree! Are yours red squirrels? We only have a few red squirrels left in small pockets of the UK,most of ours are grey. Barney our dog, loves to chase them!
ReplyDeleteRed squirrels along with black squirrels are native to Canada. The American grey has certainly established itself here & can be a problem for the native population of the reds, the blacks seem to hold their own against the greys. Squirrels in general are a pest.
DeleteI'll be looking round to see if I can spy any near me! Sometimes see similar balls in the trees but assumed they were mistletoe or something.
ReplyDeleteDo you use the term "drey" in your part of the world, or is that a UK thing?
I've heard drey used although it is not a common word. I have heard two of the ladies at church use drey & they are quite British. As far as I know a drey is for a "nest" of twigs & our squirrels seem to use leaves & grasses although sometimes they chew the young tree shoots for their nest.
DeleteHello,again,Mary-Lou!
ReplyDeleteI have to remember when was the last time I saw squirrels in person.May be some decades ago. Your photos are very interesting and I really understand why you don't want to encourage the squirrels. Happy day to you and your squirrels.
Thank you. We had snow fall yesterday & that keeps the squirrels in their nests, which is probably a test run of how warm & cozy they are or not, so I think the weekend will see lots of squirrel nest building adjustments been made.
DeleteBeautiful photos!
ReplyDelete