I am going to post here as this is definitely a critter.

Now as you probably know I am now temporarily living on the isle of Wight and as I believe I mentioned the island is one of the sanctuaries for the UK native Red Squirrel. Which has been pushed out almost everywhere else by the American grey, which eats the same food and lives in the same habitat.

The 3 mile stretch of water called the Solent has so far kept the grey off of the island. It is in fact illegal to release a grey squirrel on the island, if caught can land you with a £5,000 fine or two years in prison.

This week I finally got round to setting a web cam to watch the bird feeders close to the window here. The web cam can't see the one feeder with the nuts in, but suddenly I saw a bushy tail just on the edge of frame and crept into the kitchen to see.




Unfortunately I had to take these through the double glazing so not a sharp as they could be.



After prising a nut from the feeder, it then hung upside down to eat it.

It then did stay still long enough for a better shot.



One web site I looked at said this

Not many of us will be lucky enough to have red squirrels in our local area, let alone visiting our gardens, but if you are one of the lucky ones, here are a few tips on helping them.

I was able to stand in the kitchen just a few feet away and watch for several minutes as it feed. I have a couple of videos I may post later.



Yes I do feel very privileged to see such a rare normally shy animal.

I am probably going to try and get a proper squirrel feeder and will perhaps be able to get a web cam to view it.

Lovely pictures of your charming little visitor, Bernie!

Our reddish brown fox squirrels like unsalted peanuts in the shell, if you ever need a less pricey substitute for what appear to be hazelnuts in your feeder.

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I agree those are really great pic's, you have a great setup .
We have a man here that feeds the birds (mainly Finches) but you wouldn't believe everything else shows up there. Deer, foxes, skunks, Raccoons and many other kinds animals and birds. I throw out apples for the deer (on their way out to eat) and many other birds come around too. Even one guy puts out a bowl of dried oatmeal for the deer. I get pic's of them when I can.

I love watching the wild life, it's one enjoyment I have left in life.

Had a squirrel tease our dog today. It was climbing across the living room window screen. The dog went ballistic. Run over to the top of the couch. Nose against the glass just eight inches from it. And the squirrel was just thumbing its nose at the dog. Wish I could have got a picture of it.

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Had a squirrel tease our dog today. It was climbing across the living room window screen. The dog went ballistic. Run over to the top of the couch. Nose against the glass just eight inches from it. And the squirrel was just thumbing its nose at the dog. Wish I could have got a picture of it.

Speaking of squirrels.....
Suicide squirrel gets revenge?

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"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

Not being 100% happy with the quality of the red squirrel pics. Today I decided to use my Canon EOS600D.

Here are a couple of results











Once again taken through a double glazed window, but slightly better quality I think.

Since I took those I have moved the dish round to this side of the pole so hopefully might get a bit more squirrel that just the head.

I think you've been spotted...

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

Nice to see and yes all the red ones are gone around here. one other is the black squirrel which I have only seen one in the hills of New Mexico. Just as big as a gray though.

Bernie, those are awesome photos!

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Bernie, those are awesome photos!

+1!

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

Bernie, those are awesome photos!

+1!

+2

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~Sue~

I must say this new look is just a tad disconcerting. I guess I'll get used to it.

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~Sue~

This is what I woke up to today. This is really testing my love for raccoons.
Good thing there wasn't a cat in the littler box. Or maybe there was. o_O
(Yes, there's a litter box under the mess from the ceiling.)

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~Sue~

What a mess, thankfully My attic is sealed tight, and there are no raccoons here. Grace is happy.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

Yikes, Sue! Wishing you speedy repairs.

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I hope that is not a tv antenna on the wall? If so, did the tv survive the mayhem?

I don't want to sound mean or something. But there is a line that has been crossed. At least for me. I believe it is time to evict the tenants.

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I must say this new look is just a tad disconcerting. I guess I'll get used to it.

You can override the HIDEOUS look by installing Color-That-Page into Firefox through Add-ons. Once installed view my instructions in Chris S.'s "Goodbye..." Thread.

Following the directions currently with the Black Background and Yellow Text will change everything to Light Gray Background and Blue Text. Had they left things alone after making the initial changes, then following my directions would yield Light Gray Background with Black Text. This is what I have right now.


TL

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TimeLord04
Have TARDIS, will travel...
Come along K-9!
Join Calm Chaos

I have to agree with Admiral , she's got to go up there, they can chew up your wiring let alone already your house. It could cost you a lot more if it continues.

Yikes, Sue! Wishing you speedy repairs.

+100

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Just a quick couple of pictures,;

As a side effect of putting nuts out for the squirrel, it also attracted a few birds right outside the kitchen window.



A sparrow first then



A blue tit close up.

Also last week I saw a raptor circling and swoop just near the old boatyard, I lost it in the hedgerow, then I saw a bird fly up and land at the back of the boatyard.
It was just a brown blob to my eyes but I pointed the camera, zoomed in and got,



A Kestrel enjoying lunch!!

Finally another for the red squirrel fans