Find The Critter

Can you find the critter in the first pic below - 

Believe it or not, he gave himself away by the crunch, crunch, crunching from the nut he was gnawing on. Clearly, he was not concerned about hiding, rather his focus was on filling his belly and who can blame him -

A Red Squirrel, one of my favorites!

I Hear You!

I often see this little critter in the same general area when I'm out on my walk.  I'm sure he's there too, on the days I don't see him, just hiding perhaps.

He wasn't so stealth like on this day, as I could hear the chewing and knawing as I passed.  He was nibbling on a hickory nut without a care in the world and didn't seem bothered when I stopped to take his pic.

Winter is coming, so fatten up and stock up on nuts and berries, as they're predicting another cold one!

I Spy With My Little Eye

I spied this red squirrel busily pulling up and grabbing mouth fulls of dry grass, then darting off.  She did these numerous time, so I'm guessing she's building herself a nest.  Like the Chickadee, I love me some red squirrel.  

The bad news, oh so bad, is that she was dart in and out of the neighbors shed.  Seems there's a hole that has rotted through at the base of the double doors, so in she went.  Might be a warm, dry, safe place to nest, however, I suspect that once the neighbors begins his lawn care this nesting things might come to a sudden and sad end.

Also Known As: Pine Squirrel, Boomers and Chickarees

A young and curious Red Squirrel fell victim to his temptation and love of bread!

Another critter to add to the Summer 2016 hav-a-heart trap catches.

I'll be posting a summary entry towards the end of the season with all our visitors.

Winter Feeding Time

The Red Squirrel really enjoys the suet!

He'll hang upside down and nibble away as the suet holder spins round and round.  It's fun to watch.

Unlike the annoying Grey Squirrels, the Reds are much more skittish and typical bolt at the first noise or sign of trouble.  They're intimidated by the Grey's too, so chances are if you have a lot of Grey Squirrels you won't see many Reds.  The Reds are always welcome at our feeders.

Awe, SO Cute!

Very pleased to see that the Red Squirrels are still about and doing well by the looks of the above photo - a mum and baby!

Not sure how they both ended up inside and caught but boy-o-boy did they shot outta there when the door was opened, VROOOM

These critters are more than welcome.  Hope they continue to stick around and doing well.

Visiting Squirrels Pests

This Grey Squirrel made his way inside the wire wrap around of the bird feeder and was chowing.  Didn't seem to be bothered by the falling snow at all...

This is the Grey Squirrel's nest, which is in a tree above the chicken coop.  Supposed they wanted to live close to their "take out" food, aka our bird feeders!

Here is a lovely Red Squirrel foraging pumpkin seeds from our compost bin. The Red Squirrels are more than welcome.  I would choose these critters over their grey counter parts any day.

Look, Up In The Sky...

Hey, what's that?!

Up there in that hickory tree!

Get closer!

No, closer -

Ah, I see now.  A lovely Red Squirrel

Nom Nom Nom Nom Yummy!

"Just a squirrel trying to get a nut"
- C+C Music Factory's song Gonna Make You Sweet (Everybody Dance Now)

Actually, it's a Red Squirrel dining on pumpkin and pumpkin seeds. What a nice way to recycle and compost. Especially, enjoy seeing more of the Red Squirrels versus the annoying Grey ones.

Red Squirrel

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus



Here is a Red Squirrel that we caught in our Havaheart trap on Saturday. You see we've begun fighting back in the "Lincoln Street Strawberry battle". For now I will only report on this critter, who benefited by the concept of the Havaheart trap, while others varmint have not been so lucky...



This little dude was feisty! He wanted out of the trap in a bad way and worked at it feverishly. Of course like all critters that I come upon; old and new, big and small, they need to be viewed and seen by Emilie. This dude was no exception and Emilie was thrilled.

I was surprised to see how aggressive this guy was. When I was taking his pictures he was squaring off and lunging towards me. I've caught and relocated (the lucky ones) numerous Grey Squirrels and not one of them showed any aggression - what a bunch pantywaists.

The Red Squirrel is a good example of an animal that is around more often than you'd think but one that you seldom see; they're elusive little tuckers. Since we like these little critters we released him right where we caught him.

Bring on the chipmunks...