Black Squirrels

Author
Discussion

WyrleyD

Original Poster:

2,051 posts

155 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2022
quotequote all
Given up trying to protect the bird feeders from squirrels so have left them to it. Regular visitors are Black Squirrels seen here:

Super Josh

139 posts

226 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2022
quotequote all
We get black squirrels too and they're feisty little buggers and get really angry if the can't get into the bird feeders smile

Nightmare

5,230 posts

291 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2022
quotequote all
Very pretty! Whereabouts are you?

Also was that a ‘shin up the pole’ attack or did it leap from the shed?

Bannock

6,149 posts

37 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2022
quotequote all
I don't get black ones here, but the greys are persistent enough. So I've given up and put a lower bench with some seeds and water under the bird feeder, and it keeps them off. My garden is alongside a road so added benefit that there's often now a squashed one in the road just over my wall. There's too many of them and I'm convinced they're impacting local birdlife by eating eggs in the spring, so feck 'em. We can do with far fewer. The local red kites get the benefit of my largesse eventually.

Here's one of them, RIP you hairy menace.



Edited by Bannock on Tuesday 22 November 11:31

WyrleyD

Original Poster:

2,051 posts

155 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2022
quotequote all
Nightmare said:
Very pretty! Whereabouts are you?

Also was that a ‘shin up the pole’ attack or did it leap from the shed?
They shin up the pole, although we did have a grey that used to leap from the shed roof!

We are in Letchworth Garden City and the back garden backs on to Willian Pioneer Nursery.

Simpo Two

87,083 posts

272 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2022
quotequote all
Looks link a fat mink redface

Silvanus

6,052 posts

30 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2022
quotequote all
Bannock said:
I don't get black ones here, but the greys are persistent enough. So I've given up and put a lower bench with some seeds and water under the bird feeder, and it keeps them off. My garden is alongside a road so added benefit that there's often now a squashed one in the road just over my wall. There's too many of them and I'm convinced they're impacting local birdlife by eating eggs in the spring, so feck 'em. We can do with far fewer. The local red kites get the benefit of my largesse eventually.

Here's one of them, RIP you hairy menace.



Edited by Bannock on Tuesday 22 November 11:31
They certainly do cause wildlife issues, cause a lot of tree damage too. Curious and facinating things to watch though, especially the melanic variants. Just too many of them.

Simpo Two

87,083 posts

272 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2022
quotequote all
Silvanus said:
They certainly do cause wildlife issues, cause a lot of tree damage too. Curious and facinating things to watch though, especially the melanic variants. Just too many of them.
In NZ that niche is filled by possums, such a pest that killing them is virtually encouraged, and gift shops sell possum fur items. Can you imagine the howls of protest if anyone tried selling squirrel fur gloves here!

itcaptainslow

3,858 posts

143 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2022
quotequote all
WyrleyD said:
Nightmare said:
Very pretty! Whereabouts are you?

Also was that a ‘shin up the pole’ attack or did it leap from the shed?
They shin up the pole, although we did have a grey that used to leap from the shed roof!

We are in Letchworth Garden City and the back garden backs on to Willian Pioneer Nursery.
I’m nearby and you do see a lot black squirrels! Only around here though, for some reason?

itcaptainslow

3,858 posts

143 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2022
quotequote all

Silvanus

6,052 posts

30 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2022
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
Silvanus said:
They certainly do cause wildlife issues, cause a lot of tree damage too. Curious and facinating things to watch though, especially the melanic variants. Just too many of them.
In NZ that niche is filled by possums, such a pest that killing them is virtually encouraged, and gift shops sell possum fur items. Can you imagine the howls of protest if anyone tried selling squirrel fur gloves here!
Killing greys is encouraged here too, its just not so public. There are suplimentary grants available to woodland owners. The pest controller I know makes good money catching squirrels from roof spaces in this area, there are quite literally thousands of them. Just been out on a walk of about 5km and saw at least a hundred.

I'm not sure the general public quite know what the issues are in relation to grey squirrels. Most don't even know they are an introduced species. Mention edible doormice (glis glis), or even muntjac and you get blank looks, or sighs of awww cuuute.

soad

33,454 posts

183 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2022
quotequote all
I’m yet to see/spot one. irked