Squirrels on the roads

[Pykie]

I live few miles from Exeter and in the past week I have seen about 20 dead squirrels on the road, plus a dozen or so running past cars or up the side of the road. Is there a reason they are on the roads so much recently?

[Mace]

Only reason i can think is spilt grain?

[WelshLamb]

I ran over one with all 6 axles with my artic at least it was quick for him!

[JDog]

Squirrels are more active at this time of year as they are collecting and storing conkers and other nuts for winter. Now is an excellent time to run them over.

[Richard.Hosgood]

Pykie,.defo something going on down here aint there!?!! As above though,probably busy loading up ready for winter. Although I have seen a lot of young squizzers, maybe a late batch?

[Laird Lugton]

I ran over one with all 6 axles with my artic at least it was quick for him!

 

Did you reverse over the squirrel just to make sure?

[Muddy Funker]

As long as they keep dying it's all good.

[Teal]

It's also because the young ones are being pushed out by their parents, so they are a bit more active than at other times of the year

[Lord Geordie]

I was under the impression greys don't hibernate and forage throughout the winter months.

 

This is the problem Reds DO hibernate and by spring time the greys have stripped the natural resources for the Reds.

 

 

[Catweazle]

I was under the impression greys don't hibernate and forage throughout the winter months.

 

 

This is correct, but they become very inactive and only leave the drey occasionally. As well as frenzied foraging at this time of year they can often be found on the South side of tall trees, trying to catch the last of the afternoon sunshine.

[Pykie]

Spilt grain makes sense as every farm has cut its wheat the past week and the riafs are full of tractors pulling grain trailers. Shot 5 with 5 shots this morning round the pheasant pens this morning

[Reece]

I was under the impression greys don't hibernate and forage throughout the winter months.

 

This is the problem Reds DO hibernate and by spring time the greys have stripped the natural resources for the Reds.

 

Actually, neither the red or grey squirrel hibernates, but they are less active. They forage in Autumn, store their nuts away, and then return to the sites throughout the winter. They don't really forage in the winter.

 

Grey squirrels out compete red squirrels because the greys can eat nuts before they are fully ripe. Red squirrels cannot, with the exception of hazelnuts.

Edited September 11, 2012 by Reece

[crosshair]

They are on the roads because they thought it was safer than being in the woods

and being shot, or in some cases being shot at.