poor little squirrel, he needs some warm breezes!

They are pretty tough, Lori

they've adapted to live in harsh climate, but I think this is a bit harsher than they're used to - is for everyone lately!

the dark witch of winter is very reluctant to give up her hold on us.... it's true the squirrel is a tough critter but this long winter seems determined to test their resilience. Poor lad, wish I could wave a wand.

I have a documentary on the UK "big freeze" of 63-64 - the snow came in November and stayed until April. One woman said it was unnaturally quiet, because no birds survived. I was a kid at the time, it was great fun for us in town, but can't imagine no birds ... don't know what the squirrels and other non-hibernating animals did

I think it's a miracle any small creatures survive in these conditions !

they've had thousands of years to adapt to it - cruel but true, those that don't adapt don't survive to breed. we're the only species that's moved so far in such a comparatively short timespan, but we couldn't have done it without houses. lol maybe it's the advent of decent insulation that should be given the credit

We have become soft Fran , when I think of homeless people living in cardboard boxes on the streets I know couldn't do it ...

it's amazing what one can do when one has no choice, I think! It's a shame ayone has to do it.

Your right about that Fran !

This winter I've been conscientious about putting out suet for the birds and squirrels...I have a large raccoon who comes to my back deck to check for handouts, and I've posted pics of the deer and turkeys that were here in the early winter...haven't seen many lately. I think the terrible cold is thinning their populations. The tenacity of the winter cold is what is taking the toll...our snow is usually gone by this time, and migratory birds are sighted in late March (usually). I hope they stay in the warm southland until the ground is bare and thawed. The long range weather report says we're to have minus 20 degrees C as our overnight lows for the next week or so!...yesterday and the day before we received another 6-8 inches of snow!

I've got two types of seed, nuts, suet, mealworms and some bread out - not seen anything other than a squirrel yet. but then, it's still fairly warm and fairly dry here.

Yikes! It is cold! I hope this little guys can get back to hibernating and sleep through it. 3C today here, yes, above. Roads are breaking up. I hope this cold snap is a quick one for you!

I know they don't hibernate, but don't they build dreys? or is taht only in the breeding season? maybe you could put some boxes out, for shelters!

Gt: Amen to that!
Fran: You will enjoy this.... when we bought our place, (3 yrs. ago, now) We opened the garage door and saw two motorcycle helmets hung on spikes in the wall! The visors had been removed and the crafty little squirrels had stuffed them full of nesting material. One of the helmets fell down, (I think the cat was prowling) but the other remains on the wall. Don't think it's occupied. The squirrels like the woodpiles and lumberpiles for cacheing and nesting. They sit on the cedar tree (where the feeder is) and scold my hub when he goes outdoors for a cig. One is ensconced under the greenhouse and has a tunnel thro the snow from the gh to the feeder cedar!

oh, that's lovely! never thought of skid-lids being used for squirrel refuge!!

will have to see if I can scrounge some damaged ones - they're usually thrown away, I believe, as they're not safe to use after an accident in case they were damaged and won't protect in a second incident.

wonder what other unusual objects have been used for nesting sites or refuges? think i'll post a question, thanks, Lori!