The cold’s virtually gone! So time for a species I’ve seen today. I’ve been wanting to surveys for some different creatures for a bit in my garden but the technique needs a few extra things I don’t possess so hopefully in a few days I’ll be able to write about something I’d not knowingly seen before. Anyway, back to today..
What: (Eastern) Grey Squirrel Sciuris carolinensis Gmelin, 1788
When: 6th January 2020
Where: Grounds of Macclesfield District General Hospital, Cheshire, UK
Who saw it? Me
Where was the record submitted? (new heading, I know) The Mammal Society’s Mammal Mapper app https://www.mammal.org.uk/volunteering/mammal-mapper/
Is it larger than a blackbird? Yes, just about I think
What is it? The first mammal I’ve written about on these pages! It is a non-native (to the UK at least) rodent of the squirrel family which live in trees and like to eat seeds and nuts. A familiar site in an English garden. First introduced into the UK only in the 1870s and have spread rapidly, infamously displacing the native Red Squirrel from most of England and Wales. They were introduced into various aristocrat’s garden to make their gardens more interesting, a free-living exotic pet if. Very stupid. The English aristocracy did many stupid things like this, there are many non-native animals and plants that are here originally for aesthetic purposes which are now a problem, the Rhododendron plant is another that springs to mind.
A fact I have learned about this species: The first grey squirrels to be released in the UK was released not far from the squirrel I saw today. A pair were released in Henbury Park near Macclesfield by one Thomas Brocklehurst in 1876, only 2.5km/1.5 miles away from where I saw mine today.
Is it charismatic in my opinion? Yes I think so. Many people regards them as tree-rats who raid bird feeders and who are responsible for the demise of the Red Squirrel in the UK. The latter is unfortunately true (although blame should be placed at the Victorian’s feet really, the squirrels are being squirrels, they don’t know they are 3000 miles from home). To me they come across as an intelligent animal who performs death-defying leaps for the sake of a nut or an opportunity at a bird feeder. They are also undeniably cute at times too (sorry for putting human characteristics on them!). They’re like a pirate from an old yarn, will steal your lunch but will put a smile on your face whilst doing it.
A Species a Day 