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Sunday 10 January 2016

North American Grey Imports

The Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
Yes its true, its a North American import which occurred during the 1870's.
Now we have rather a lot of them, in fact around 2.5 million across the UK.

The Red indigenous Squirrel number around 10,000 to 15,000 only and exist mainly in the NE of England.
The Greys also carry a virus (Squirrel Pox) which the Reds have no immunity.

However due to concentrated field management the Reds are slowly increasing, but have a long way to go. 
Greys are listed as pests and can be shot or trapped providing it is done humanely and frequently are in the countryside. Interestingly there was a Law enacted in 1937 making it an offence of failing to report the sighting of a Grey squirrel. 
The act was repealed recently.{:))









26 comments:

  1. Hi Roy
    great captured this way there is in Germany not, the most beautiful is the picture where it looks around the tree
    greetings Frank

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  2. You can't deny that Grey Squirrels are entertaining little creatures :-) However when they are raiding the bird feeders or doing other damage to the garden, then I have quite a few other names for them, none of which I shall repeat here!

    Lovely pictures as always Mr Norris :-)

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    1. They are great characters David, but somewhat of a nuisance as regard to bird feeders, especially when they damage them and you have to get new ones. Don't think you can claim on insurance for that.{:))

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  3. We seem to have increasing numbers of melanistic "greys" around here. In fairness it should be pointed out that we sent them our starlings, so we're about quits.

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    1. Yes, but I think they had the better deal John.{:))

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  4. Hi David
    oh yours pictures are too cute. very beautiful animal. what a pleasure.
    hugs and good day

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  5. Lots of Grey (or black) Squirrels in southern Ontario, but surprisingly up here where we retired we only get Red Squirrels.

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  6. They are very cute to watch Roy and photogenic too but when you realise what they have done to the Reds it's a dilemma indeed. I'm delighted so much work is being done to help the Red Squirrel come back, but hate the thoughts of these guys being shot or killed. You can even get squirrel pie and meat in some places....but I couldn't eat it. Lovely images.

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    1. Thanks Suzie. Not something I want to eat thats for sure.

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  7. You could knock me down with a feather. I had no idea our American Squirrel had been brought to English shores. Great photos Roy!

    Wishing you a great week,
    Denise
    New blog addy :
    http://anenglishgirlrambles2016.blogspot.com

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    1. Yes Denise, you should know all about these Americans coming over here.{:))

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  8. For ages now I've been calling out and waving, in the nicest possible way of course, to the two and sometimes three cute little darlings that if they continue to raid my bird feeders I'll have no option but to report them to the relevant authorities....did/do they take any notice?.....NO, they b..... don't!!
    They are cute though...sometimes!...[;o{

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  9. Sounds like American visitors who stayed in the UK much longer than socially acceptable... :) {No offence intended, my dear American friends... } It feels strange to label such a cute animal as a pest but being cute isn't everything, right? Nice captures, Roy!

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  10. Onpa suloisen ihanat kuvat <3

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  11. Jaaaa ......... amazing these squirrels.
    I love squirrels and I also placed a post with squirrels.
    You gray and brown I :-)

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  12. Cute little pests! I didn't know they carry a virus. We only have the red squirrels here in Finland.

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  13. What a cute little animal!!! And he talks too!... :-P
    I know they carry a virus... but they are so funny, anyway!...

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