Cyn's Nature Notes: The Growling Squirrel

Monday 9 June 2014

The Growling Squirrel

I was intrigued this morning by a squirrel, he was obviously hungry but didn't dare to reach any food on either bird table because they were both being guarded by another squirrel, who fought off any squirrel brave enough to venture near the food.

The hungry squirrel sat on the roof of one of the bird houses and continually jumped from one bird table roof to the other. He didn't dare to lower himself onto the table to feed or even to move across to the windowsill to take the proffered biscuit. The whole of the time he growled. I have heard squirrels in trees make sharp, short defensive noises but have never heard one growling before. This one was certainly very good at it, it was non-stop and so loud I heard it indoors.

Eventually I reached right across and held the biscuit right up to him, whereupon he stopped growling, came and took the biscuit, jumped down, ran across the lawn, climbed the old bendy apple tree sat on a branch and enjoyed his treat.

Although loud enough for me to hear indoors, the growling was very deep and was continuous. This is the first time I have heard the low, deep growling of a hungry and frustrated squirrel.

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About this Blog

When we moved to our present home in December 1987, I was very ill and bedridden. My garden was a life-saver, although it was very different then. The first thing I did was to put up bird-feeders, and long hours were spent lying indoors in a recliner. This was when I discovered many things. Do you know the underside of every blue tit’s tail is differently marked? Gradually, over the years, the garden changed. We put in shrubs and plants that would not only enhance the garden, but would also be good for wildlife. The first rabbit we saw was so joyful for us. The deer eat the flowers, prune the apple trees, eat the marrow, and are wonderful to watch. Foxes have been a major part of our wildlife. We have fed them each night for more than 20 years. They are such a delight, especially in late summer and early autumn when there are youngsters. They behave like puppies and are great fun to watch.

I love all wildlife: the mason bees that nest in the brickwork of the bungalow, the hornets that last year made their home in the roof above our bedroom, the bees currently nesting in the roof above the bathroom. On a hot evening, if you stand quietly in the bathroom, you can hear this amazing sound: it is very rhythmic and reminds me of the waves at the seaside. It is made by the beating of the bees’ wings as they fan their nest to keep the temperature at the right level -- how many people have heard that sound? I feel so privileged.

Obviously, I feed the birds. When I open the window in the morning I call “Come on Bobby and Blackie”, and one followed swiftly by the other they fly immediately to the bird table. Each morning, on rising, I make my way to the kitchen and find the squirrels already sitting on the window ledge waiting to be fed. Winter brings the moorhens and spring time the mallards. Our pond is a poor effort from a human point of view, but wild creatures see it differently. On summer days, the grass snakes spend long hours in the pond: eating the fish, froglets, toadlings, newts, and any other living creature they can swallow. Although I hate to see the pond emptied this way, I do enjoy the snakes and feel they are an important part of the balance of nature in the garden. Watching a dragonfly nymph climbing out of the pond, up a plant stalk, and then over the next few hours gradually transforming into a beautiful dragonfly -- these are contented hours well spent.

It has been my pleasure to write and publish a nature column each month. I am always delighted to hear how much pleasure this brings to my readers. I have often been asked if I have written a book, so I am making more of my writings and photography available through this web site and blog.