Chipmunks and Squirrels (or lack of them!)
Hi All,
I believe I read in a past thread about the lack of chipmunks this Spring. We noticed it as well. We've also noticed the lack of squirrels -- all colors -- here in Gilford. We thought it might be due to the deep snow this season, leaving smaller food supplies for the predators (fox, coyotes). We live in a pretty heavily wooded area off of Rt. 11A. Has anybody else noticed this? Gravy |
Chipmunks & Squirrels
We noticed the lack of chipmunks early in the season but had an unusual number of red squirrels. Not sure if the red squirrels helped keep the chipmunks away but they seem to be increasing as time goes on. We have bird feeders so that would encourage the critters as well.
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Here in West Alton we have an abundance of both gray and red squirrels, as well as chipmunks. I'd be glad to send you some! :D
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Please send a few chipmunks to me in Meredith if it's not too much trouble.....my cats have nothing to do
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Actually, I don't think my wife would let me do that, SAMIAM ... the chipmunks keep HER three cats entertained here! How 'bout some red squirrels?
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Chipmunks are Back
The chipmunks are back here but my cats need them for entertainment. First Sighting today.
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I've got red squirrels to spare....no grays,though.They used to be everywhere and no there are none....like something out of a Steven king book....
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Of Chip and Woody
After reading the original lack-o-chipmunks thread, I kept an eye out for the little striped dudes. Saw a few red squirrels (as usual), and then later saw a chippy under the house. Good news all around. The most abundant creature on our property this spring, however, seemed to be various woodpeckers -- both pileated and downy. Lots of new holes pecked.
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Not a Good Sign
Quote:
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Generally the red squirrels can help to keep the chipmunk count lower. I understand they can be mean little buggers. :eek:
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Union Leader article
1 Attachment(s)
From today's Union Leader:
Quote:
Red squirrels have been incredibly destructive of my stuff. :( They have chewed everything made of fabric: Rope, nylon, chair weavings, chair cushions, sail bags, cotton, dacron, etc., and make messy and smelly nests hither and yon. OTOH, Chipmunks have chewed at my shirt pocket for many seconds (for the birdseed within), with no damage to the shirt. (And prefer their burrows underground, and have never nested in/near the house). With the exception of garden seed retrieval, they get a bad reputation from some. I've personally relocated seven red squirrels this Spring and still have only two chipmunks: One, (a male I think) needs to go to the "Special Chipmunk Needs" department, while the other has been easily trained to respond to a whistle (appearing "out of nowhere" from the woods) and to gather birdseed gently from the hand. I don't know of anybody who's trained a red squirrel. :confused: |
Easy to train....
My Grandfather had several chippies trained. One named crooked tail, would climb him and sit on his shoulder and dip into his shirt pocket to get peanuts, then back to his shoulder to stuff his cheeks. He had a crooked tail from our screen door.......never would come back into the house after that....hmmmm
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Things are looking up
But I'm wondering if my local chipmunk count -- which had been down since Easter -- isn't due to the fact that nearly all the local white pine trees have been "harvested" from as far as I can see. (No pine cones). Is this a possible link to the local, diminished, count?
The chipmunk "count" has improved since Easter, and there are three "regulars" -- particularly under the bird feeder. Now there are at least four, total, on my acre. The New Hampshire Union Leader has its usual Saturday article about Nature, and the chipmunk (and a book written about chipmunks) is featured today. Quote:
One has become quite an "underfoot" nuisance, and I have to watch where I put my feet. :look: Another will pester me on the dock (until I'm out of bird seed). Last year, it wasn't unusual to be visited on my boat and have my pockets inspected (by "Blinky"). It's fun having a pet that doesn't throw up on the rug. :) . |
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