A few days ago I was in the kitchen, finishing off a batch of chutney, when I spotted a squirrel, sat bolt upright and staring directly towards me. I knew immediately what to do.
I collected a few peanuts, still in their shells, and opened the door to the garden. By this time the little fellow had come a lot closer to the house and was sat waiting for me. Speaking softly to him (assuming male) I gently threw a peanut forward. He ran to it and put it into his mouth and waited until I had thrown a second and took that as well. He tried for the third but never can manage that many so turned tail and sped off back down the garden to who knows where, presumably to stash the bounty in readiness for winter. I returned to the kitchen to carry on with my task and about 10 minutes later he was back and the whole procedure began again.
People say they are pests/rodents but I like to see them - who could resist such cheeky charm?
7 comments:
I agree with you 100% on their cuteness factor. We have a lot here and they play havoc in my garden, as do the chipmunks. My husband shoots at them with rubber bullets and wants an air rifle but I've said no!
I couldn't resist them either if they came into my garden.
We have red squirrels in this area but now the greys have moved in we might lose them so I am very torn over the issue of red versus grey, I wish there was an answer that didn't involve culling the greys.
If you have been feeding the squirrel peanuts for thee years now I am surprised that you do not have a garden full of peanut trees! We find young oak trees every where, but the squirrels are not tame enough to come to our back door.
Pam - I do love to see them and Bob indulges me in feeding them.
Fern - would love to see a red squirrel, do hope they continue in your area. Believe they may be in New Forest also, which isn't too far from here.
CW - it makes me laugh to see it/them just sitting up and staring towards the windows. So cheeky!
A x
I love the squirrels Anne, and in the wintertime I buy peanuts in the shells for them. The Blue Jays seem to enjoy those too and I watch to see whose the fastest to get them. The Blue Jays win! Some friends said that if they were late putting their peanuts out, one squirrel would come and wait on their windowsill staring through the glass until they appeared!
Denise x
squirrels are lovely unless they are eating my bulbs that I have planted in the garden.........
Gill in Canada
Denise - we used to see a jay when we first came to live here but haven't seen one for about a year now. And yes, it did take the peanuts. I will have to see if the squirrel becomes any bolder. Will keep you posted!
Gill - yes I have found half eaten bulbs as well and my thoughts weren't very fond then!
A x
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