Grey squirrel (S. carolinensis), All Saints Churchyard

Image: © Maigheach-gheal Taken: 18 Jul 2010

The grey squirrel is bigger than the red squirrel, being 10 inches long with a less bushy, 8 inch long tail. In winter the coat is pale grey with longer fur than in summer. The immature grey squirrel has some red on its sides and cheeks which, on occasions, has led to it being mistaken for a red. Occasionally black individuals turn up. Greys began appearing in the countryside between 1876 and 1929, having been released deliberately or accidentally from a number of centres, especially London Zoo and Woburn Park. They have now invaded almost every county in England. Grey squirrels have survived repeated Government-sanctioned attempts to extermination by shooting, trapping and poison. Greys do considerable damage to trees when present in large numbers. They attack trees in early summer gnawing at the main stem, seeking the sweet, sappy layers immediately beneath the bark. They adapt to any area covered by trees, whether broad-leaved or conifer, with an average density of about five per acre. Greys will live in sub urban parks and gardens, becoming tame enough to feed from the hand. The drey is a ball of twigs often with leaves attached, lined with grass, moss and fur. Summer dreys are attached to branches, but breeding and winter nests may be inside a hollow tree. There are two breeding seasons, in early spring and early summer, each of which produces a litter of three or four kittens.

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