Squirrels become habituated to bird feeders in winter, to the point of becoming a nuisance. Gray Squirrels will travel considerable distances from their preferred woodland habitat of mature deciduous trees to eat bird seed. Red Squirrels have a smaller home range, but can dominate feeders too, especially if their habitat of choice is present in the landscape – mature coniferous trees such as Norway Spruce.
Red Squirrel in its escape tunnel in deep snow near a bird feeder
Red Squirrel feasting on bird seed
Red Squirrel raiding the suet in a wire mesh woodpecker feeder
One of a dozen Gray Squirrels visiting 2 backyard bird feeders
Gray Squirrel digging through snow for bird seed
Photos by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.
They are most definitely opportunistic, but gave you some delightful shots! 🙂
Thanks Gunta. Agree. It’s nice to have a backyard wildlife program to lean on when the field and stream options are frozen!
Love this post and pics! I just published a post that includes links to this post and your ABOUT page, and a personal thank you. I didn’t include photos, out of respect for your copyright. Let me know if you want me to change things in any way.
Great! Not real active at the moment due to abnormally cold and snowy weather. Published that post to maintain my sanity, not expecting to generate much interest with it because it’s such a common scene around here. Glad you enjoyed it, and many thanks for the visit and links. I have many shots of red squirrels through the seasons and will feature them again sometime this spring or summer.
I understand they can be a nuisance, but.. Oh my world, they’re so cute!! Excellent shots, Nick!
Thanks Calee! I tend to take them for granted and pass up way too many photo ops – they’re very photogenic!
Liked the comments and the photos…I hadn’t seen these.
Nick, I thought you might be interested in this link to an NPR article on the snowy owls. Enjoy! I enjoy every one of your blogs. Kathy
http://www.npr.org/2014/03/11/288762497/the-great-snowy-owl-invasion?utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=20140316&utm_source=mostemailed
Wow! That is a terrific article. Many thanks for the link and helping me understand this phenomenon a little better. Must admit, I’m a bit jealous of the research activities, wishing I could have contributed from this part of the country. I think we still have an owl or 2 in the area and will be on the lookout for a transmitter!
Ahh, maybe there is a way. You are resourceful.
here is another link to a bog talking about the snowy owls we’ve had in my home state, Ohio this year.
http://jimmccormac.blogspot.com/search/label/snowy%20owl