Go Reds!

We’ve been lucky enough to spot quite a few red squirrels lately in the Highlands. The best place to photograph them is where there are squirrel feeders, for example at the wildlife hide at Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, Aberfoyle. There you can get quite close to them as they gorge themselves on nuts or scamper about.

Red squirrels are smaller and lighter than the greys which means they survive better in areas with pine martins which are better at catching greys. Grey squirrels carry a virus which is harmless to them but fatal to red squirrels. It is estimated that Scotland currently has about 120,000 red squirrels, this is half the number of greys.

Squirrels have rotating ankles which allow them to run both up and down trees without having to go backwards. This helps them access seeds and more importantly escape predators. They have five clawed toes on each foot and four clawed fingers on each hand. Their long tails help with balance and strength.

Red squirrels come in various shades of reddish brown. They have lighter tails and distinct ear tufts, although the tufts are moulted in summer. They also moult from head to tail about twice a year, making them look a bit shorn in places.

Today I watched some confrontations at the feeders. “Oi, you, clear orf!”

My photos are darker here as I had anticipated a fast chase and upped the shutter speed, however in shady areas this means the camera doesn’t let as much light in.