Squirrelling its way back here

A FEW recent sightings of red squirrels in places where I had not seen them previously offers some hopes about the welfare of the species, despite reports that our native red is under serious threat from the imported American grey squirrel.

The first sighting was in the back garden, where the long-tailed little fellow looked quite at home, and the second was on a farm where the owner had rarely seen a squirrel (it was helping itself to the nut contents of a bird feeder). On the third occasion, grey crows were unsuccessfully pursuing a squirrel across open ground.

If you’re out walking during Halloween, it may be worth keeping an eye out for them around trees: they are entertaining and interesting to watch.