Squirrel digging for his dinner

he's cute ... and a lovely bushy tail ..

This fellow is so smart, Amy! He has tunnels thro the snow and pops up beside the feeder tree...Hello! has a little forage ...eats some suet..and pops back in his hole! LoL!

LOL.. he's a survivor ! I can't decide if he's a red Squirrel or if it's just that his tail is ginger looking !

We , mostly, have red squirrels (I'm sure this one is) and we also have some very large gray squirrels as well. Was surprised to read that the black squirrels (which are more plentiful than the grays) are really the same specie just have different fur colour! nature is amazing.

The reds are becoming so rare here Lori We have a breeding programme not far from us in a country park where they rear them in compounds they will then reintroduce them probably on the Isle of Wight where they are safe from predators , did you see the white one on Gees blog ? I've never seen a white one before ...

Their reproduction rate is so high that I worry for the Isle of Wight! Like rabbits they are good breeders! Was I dreaming it or are they not native to the U.K. (reds, I mean.) The reds here are smaller than the black/grays. Closer in size to the little ground squirrel (Chipmunk). Could the albino be a result of the breeding programme? Haven't seen Gee's blog yet ...on my way!

The Reds are or were native Lori the grays have spread disease to the Reds and have almost taken over , I've only ever seen a red in the lake district or in the park compound , they haven't released any yet from the breeding programme ...

I believe your american red squirels are a different breed from the eurasian species we have in engeland and europe. They reproduce a lot less than the grays do. The grays also tend to raid the red's foodstores and compete strongly for food.
Being such fast breeders and so much bigger and stronger than the small reds, these little guys dont stand much of a chance. I hope the breeding program Amy mentions will make a difference. Then there is that pesky virus which no antidose exists for yet.

The breeding program is taking place at Pensthorpe in Norfolk Resi ,you may have heard of it as it's where the 'Spring Watch ' programs are televised from ....

Yes i do remember that but hadn't realized that is where they are doing it, thank you Amy

Pensthorpe is a wonderful place to visit if you are ever down this way Resi you can easily spend the day there .. they have recently installed some amazing play equipment outside for children made entirely of wood it cost millions £. ..

Have to remember that for when grandchildren are a bit older.

sorry Lori I didn't tell you which of Gees blogs the white squirrel was on ! it's ....' The New Year starts here.' one .... :o))

Thanks Amy...I searched for 'white squirrel' but couldn't come up with G's blog. Will take a look at it now. ;-)