A symbol of Britain - the Red Squirrel.

[Karen]

I just looked it up, because we also have red squirrels here in the US, but it is a different species - Tamiasciurus hudsonicus - instead of your red squirrels, which are Sciurus vulgaris. Have they considered importing some from France, etc., where there are also Sciurus vulgaris?

Thank you for sharing your pictures, they are great.

[Sonia59]

I searched on Internet and indeed, Sciurus vulgaris are the ones we have in France. I have never seen grey ones here, only abroad or in zoos.

[Louie and me]

Loved your photos. We only have the black and grey variety of squirrels here but they are great fun to watch especially in the winter when all we have to look at is snow. The one of Formby dunes brought back fond memories of the many picnics I had there when I still lived in Crosby.

[ChrisH]

I just looked it up, because we also have red squirrels here in the US, but it is a different species - Tamiasciurus hudsonicus - instead of your red squirrels, which are Sciurus vulgaris. Have they considered importing some from France, etc., where there are also Sciurus vulgaris?

Unfortunately they would be just as vulnerable to the squirrel poxvirus. Unless a way is found to provide the red squirrel with the same immunity as the grey the population will surely continue to decline. There has been talk of a grey squirrel cull but I for one would really hate to see that happen.

... the current threats to the red squirrels' continued survival are thought to be the sustained expansion of populations of the introduced grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and with them the potential of squirrel poxvirus transmission.

Squirrelpox virus is deadly to red squirrels. Evidence suggests that it originated from grey squirrels transported from North America and, whilst they appear to carry a natural immunity to it, red squirrels do not. Animals infected with the virus seem to suffer a marked decline in their health and die within around two weeks of contracting it. At present, the spread of squirrelpox virus presents the greatest threat to retaining red squirrels across their current range.

http://www.snh.org.uk/ukredsquirrelgroup/

[Miss Z]

I just looked it up, because we also have red squirrels here in the US, but it is a different species - Tamiasciurus hudsonicus - instead of your red squirrels, which are Sciurus vulgaris. Have they considered importing some from France, etc., where there are also Sciurus vulgaris?

To add to what Chris said, I'm pretty sure that was attempted a few decades ago in several places, including Formby. The continental race doesn't seem to have boosted numbers particularly. It also met some opposition as the continental subspecies is slightly darker than the British strain and some people believed that we were making our native animals 'impure'. There are however a few areas that never received imported animals that claim to still hold the 'pure' British variety.

I love squirrels! I had one in Chicago - Shirley -- she came when I called and even when I didn't. My sister was once visiting me and came to me rather puzzled...said there was a squirrel at the back door!

Wow! The largest male of the lot in my area is just brave enough to sit and glare at you on the patio if you sit in my garden, but I've never known one that tame!

The one of Formby dunes brought back fond memories of the many picnics I had there when I still lived in Crosby.

Ah, I know Crosby fairly well. And I too have been picnicking on Formby beach - since I was a toddler!

[Randi]

Well, this time I brought my camera and got a picture of this little guy. There was one more, but he ran.

I also love these trees!

[Sonia59]

That's a cute one! Look at the gorgeous tail!

I love the trees too.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Randi! What a fabulous photo of the tree squirrel! Is that a red squirrel?

I wonder if Shirley was a red or a gray squirrel?

I'll have to find a photo...

[Randi]

Sara, that's a red squirrel - I don't think we have grey ones over here.

[Barbara]

I wonder if Shirley was a red or a gray squirrel?

Shirley was definitely no European red squirrel. They are a little smaller (of course and Shirley was more brownish. I still love that I got to give her a Brazil nut.

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Well, this time I brought my camera and got a picture of this little guy. There was one more, but he ran.

I also love these trees!

Hey Randi!! Is that the tree we admired so much when we visited the churchyard? It is really beautiful isn't it!! Beautiful squirrel too


ps. Sorry for not posting the other pics from our cruise yet; I am so busy preparing everything for our 30th anniversary celebration next saturday....

[krazyaboutkatz]

When I was living in S.C.,we ended up having a pet squirrel for a while. We later had to let him live in our yard and he'd sometimes jump on our neighbors shoulders and scare them. It was very interesting that some of the other squirrels also became more friendly and they'd come close to us so we could feed them. He was the typical brownish grey and we ended up calling him Gray. He liked to ride on our shoulders and play with us. As time went on he eventually left our yard probably to mate and we never saw him again.

The red squirrels sure are gorgeous. Hopefully they'll continue to thrive.

[Killearn Kitties]

Remember I said I had only ever seen a red squirrel in Germany? Well, I saw my first one here yesterday! We were at a beautiful National Trust property yesterday, The Hermitage in Perthshire, and there was a red squirrel running along the path beside us. Didn't manage to get a picture, but the squirrel was very pretty.