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SQUIRRELS
<name key="Lorna Ashworth">
<name key="Sian Varley">
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The red <reg>Squirrel</reg>
Recognition :
Ginger-brown fur; large ears;
bushy tail <sic>bleachin</sic> white in late Summer
Head/body length <reg>about</reg> 180-240mm; tail 175mm
Weight 100-150g in Juveniles; adults up to 350g
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General Ecology:
This is the only <reg>squirrel</reg> <reg> which </reg> is <reg>native</reg> to Britain. It is active during day-time,<reg>though</reg> in Summer it may sleep for an hour or two around mid-day. Squirrel nests, or <reg>dray</reg>, are <reg>constructed</reg> of <reg>twigs</reg> in a tree fork, or hollow or above a <reg>hole</reg> or <reg>branches</reg> close to the stem or a <UNCLEAR> They are lined with soft hair and moss. Several squirrels may share the same <reg>dray</reg>, especially in Winter. red squirrels spend three-<reg>quarters</reg>of <resg>their</reg> activity time <reg>above</reg> the ground in the trees and shrubs. <reg>Their</reg> main food are tree seeds, <reg>particularly</reg> hazel nut and <UNCLEAR> <reg>conifer</reg> Cones. They also eat tree flowers and shoots in winter they take fungus from under tree bark
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NPI red Squirrel update
<reg>I've</reg> had a few calls saying that red <reg>Squirrels</reg> have not been seen for a while. I'm not too worried about this at the moment. It's. <reg>Autumn</reg> and they're busy getting <reg>ready</reg> for winter. feeding and buying nuts. If you're feeding red squirrels in your garden with hazel nuts then they are probably still with you. <reg>I've</reg> had a number <reg>of</reg> <reg>enquiries</reg> about where to buy hazel nuts during the <reg>summer</reg>, Sorry, I was unable to get a <reg>location</reg>. Apparently <reg>those</reg> who of you would contact the Kentish Cob nut company found that they were out of hazel nuts at the end of the <reg>Season</reg> . Hazel nuts should be <reg>widely</reg> <reg>available</reg> at the moment, if <reg>anyone</reg> has <reg>any</reg> bright <reg>ideas</reg> for next summer <reg>please</reg> let me know.
If you have any bright ideas. please <reg>write</reg> <reg>here</reg>.
and <reg>write</reg> your full name
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Conservation
Red Squirrels <reg>strictly</reg> protect by, law and may not be trapped, killed or kept or have their <note desc="word/s missing?"> disturbed <reg>except</reg> under licence from <sic>England</sic> Nature, the <reg>countryside</reg> Council for Wales or <reg>Scottish</reg> Natural Heritage.
Red Squirrels are now rare in <reg>Britain</reg> but some Scottish <UNCLEAR> <UNCLEAR> they can reach high numbers <reg>and</reg> Cause <reg>economically</reg> <UNCLEAR> <reg>damage</reg> to trees, in <reg>such</reg> as <UNCLEAR> licences has been to <reg>control</reg> red <reg>squirrels</reg> as <reg>pests</reg> .
Red Squirrels <reg>habitat</reg> Should have a diversity of tree <reg>species</reg> with Shrubs, <reg>especially</reg> hazel nut <UNCLEAR> out. This provides of <reg>continuity</reg> of food <reg>sources</reg> and abundant <reg>autumn</reg> food. <reg>Historically</reg> , red Squirrel <reg>populations</reg> in <reg> Britain</reg> have <reg>fluctuated</reg> <reg>widely</reg> , the <reg>species</reg> <reg>disappearing</reg> from many areas at <reg>times</reg> areas and <UNCLEAR> at later date.
red squirrels have not moved back in to areas where they will not be <UNCLEAR> in the late 1920s. Soon after this <reg>introduction</reg>, grey squirrels began to <reg>spread</reg> <reg>widely</reg> <reg>throughout</reg> the <reg>country</reg>. Red Squirrels seem <reg>able</reg> to revive in the <reg>presence</reg> of greys and <UNCLEAR> and <reg>probably</reg> are not main food <reg>especially</reg> Hazel nuts.
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Red Squirrel Supplementary food hopper
<reg>Abstract</reg>
the hopper is <reg>designed</reg> to feed red <reg>squirrels</reg> but not grey Squirrels. it is for <reg>use</reg> in <reg>areas</reg> where both red and grey <reg>Squirrels</reg> are <reg>present</reg> .
Background
the range of the red squirrel in Britain continues to contract the <note desc="word/s missing"> is that this <reg>attractive</reg> <reg>species</reg> may <reg>disappear</reg> <reg>completely</reg> from mainland England and Wales within the next 20 years (Gunell & pepper, 1991). this decline is <reg>believed</reg> to be <reg>connected</reg> to the <reg>relative</reg> <UNCLEAR> with <reg>which</reg> red and grey <reg>squirrels</reg> . Exploit <reg>available</reg> food and Space in <reg>conifer</reg> and <reg>broadleaved</reg> <reg>habitats</reg> . <reg>Conservation</reg> <reg>measures</reg> are <reg>therefore</reg> <reg>needed</reg> now, and <reg>supplementary</reg> feeding the red squirrel <reg>populations</reg> seems <reg>appropriate</reg>. The technique of <reg>supplementary</reg> <reg>feeding</reg> is novel and changes may be made <note desc="word/s missing"> <reg>experience</reg> is <sic>granted</sic>
<reg>Presentation</reg> Of Food
<reg>Suppplementary</reg> food may be <reg>provided</reg><sic>of</sic> target <reg>areas</reg> of woodlands or <reg>nature</reg> <reg>reserves</reg>, parks and gardens where both red and grey are present. It Should be given <reg>consistently</reg> <sic>of</sic> <UNCLEAR> <reg>periods</reg> of time, <reg>perhaps</reg> 2 or 3 years, to boost a red <reg>squirrel</reg> <reg>population</reg> in severe <reg>decline</reg> <reg>or</reg> for <UNCLEAR> of less than a year <sic>maintain</sic> of <reg>population</reg> during <reg>periods</reg> of <reg>natural</reg> food <reg>shortage</reg>. However, avoid <reg>providing</reg> <reg>too</reg> <reg>much</reg> <reg>because</reg> This <reg>encourages</reg> red squirrels busy the <UNCLEAR> <reg>which</reg> is even <reg>available</reg> to grey squirrels
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from greys has been highly <reg>detrimental</reg> , to red squirrels. <reg>Re-introductions</reg> to <reg>large</reg> pine forests may <reg>eventually</reg> be successful <reg>because</reg> red squirrels may <reg>survive</reg> better than greys.
<reg>Frequent</reg> Questions;
Can we <reg> re-introduce</reg> red
Squirrels and a licence From EN/CCW/SNH would be <reg>needed</reg> first.
NO. Captive bred animals.
DO <reg>Squirrels</reg> <reg>Hibernate</reg>
NO, but during bad <reg>weather</reg> and in winter they may Spend time <reg>Sleeping</reg>.
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Where to find red and grey squirrels.
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Red Squirrels <reg>often</reg> suffer periods of food <reg>shortage</reg> <reg>especially</reg> during July, <reg>traditionally</reg> a time of <reg>natural</reg> abundance.
Red Squirrels are at home in <reg>coniferous</reg> forests, but <reg>their</reg> <reg>native</reg> habitat in <reg>Britain</reg> is <reg>broadleaved</reg> woodland. Numbers have declined <UNCLEAR> in the last 50 years and red squirrels are now extinct in <reg>most</reg> Southern <reg>counties</reg>. They are found mainly in Scotland, the Lake district and Northumberland with a few in Wales, <reg>Norfolk</reg> and part of <reg>northern</reg> England. There are also <reg>healthy</reg> populations on some islands, <reg>particularly</reg> the Isle of Wight.
Breeding usually <reg>Begins</reg> by <reg>January</reg> and can continue <reg>throughout</reg> the <reg>summer</reg> <reg>depending</reg> on the <reg>weather</reg> and how <reg>much</reg> was <reg>available</reg> the <reg>previous</reg>. autumn. <note desc="two full stops written"> Matching <reg>Chases</reg> occur, <reg>involving</reg> squirrels making <reg>spectacular</reg> leaps through the trees canopy and <UNCLEAR> up and down the tree trunks.
Females <reg>normally</reg> have one litter a year, <reg>usually</reg> <reg>about</reg> three young. Juveniles are weaned at around 10 weeks, but <reg>usually</reg> do not breed till not a year old. Red squirrels in prime can live at a <reg>population</reg> density of one <reg>squirrel</reg> per hectare of woodland. They <reg>survive</reg> up to 5 years in the <reg>Wild</reg>.
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How to feed the red Squirrel
The best Supplementary food
peanuts, yellow maize, sunflower and pine seeds, hazel nuts and fruit.
When to feed
you can feed red squirrels at any time of the year.
The critical <reg>period</reg> is during the summer where fruit and nuts <reg>ripen</reg>. Feeding in hard <reg>weather</reg> and after <reg>poor</reg> crops is <reg>important</reg>. Water is also <reg>needed</reg>.
How To Feed
a squirrel Table or <reg>Standard</reg> feeding hopper erected near a hedge or a stiff wall or in woodland will <reg>suffice</reg> in red-only <reg>areas</reg> . Where greys are, or red <reg>may</reg> be <reg>present</reg>, <reg>use</reg> red only hoppers <sic>feeding hoppers</sic> that are <reg>designed</reg> to <reg>allow</reg> <reg>access</reg> <reg>only</reg> to the red <reg>squirrel</reg> . (The <reg>heavier</reg> squirrel falls through a trap door before reaching the food.)
Feeding hoppers
Both <reg>Standard</reg> and red-only feeding hoppers are <reg>obtainable</reg> from
<gap desc="company name"> <gap desc="address">
Telephone : <gap desc="Telephone No.">
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Grey <reg>Squirrel</reg>
Size
Body <reg>length</reg> : 23-30cm
Tail length : 19.5-25cm
<reg>Weight</reg> : 350-500g
Breeding
Sexual maturity : 11 months.
Mating : january <reg>february</reg> and <sic>and</sic> Sometimes also march to <reg>April</reg>.
<reg>Gestation</reg> about 44 days.
No: of young: usually <sic>3. up, but to 9.</sic>
No. litters up to 2 per year.
LIFESTYLE
<reg>habitat</reg> Tree-<reg>dwelling</reg> <reg>although</reg> Spends <reg>much</reg> time <reg>Searching</reg> for food on the ground.
Diet <reg>mostly</reg> tree <reg>seeds</reg>.
Call a <UNCLEAR> or <UNCLEAR> noise and a <reg>piercing</reg> scream
lifespan up to 4 years.
Related <reg>Species</reg>
there are 28 <reg>species</reg>
of <reg>squirel</reg> , including the <UNCLEAR> red <reg>Squirrel</reg>, <UNCLEAR> <UNCLEAR>.
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Fact <reg>File</reg>
How can a red squirrel be <reg>distinguished</reg> from a grey Squirrel?
<reg>answer</reg>
Colour is a good <reg>guide</reg> , However grey squirrels <reg>sometimes</reg> have patches of red. red Squirrels can <reg>vary</reg> between <reg>orange</reg> -red <reg>nearly</reg> <note desc="word missing?"> black. The grey <reg>squirrel's </reg> tail <reg>appears</reg> to be surrounded by <note desc="word missing"> halo <reg>due</reg> to white-tipped hairs. At <reg>almost</reg> any time of year the red Squirrel has ear tufts, not present in grey. Grey squirrels are also <reg>almost</reg> twice the weight of red squirrels.
Can red and grey Squirrels occupy The Same woodland in harmony?
<reg>answer</reg>
yes, but not for long Grey Squirrels live at a higher density <reg>and</reg> so will soon dominate the food <reg>supply</reg>.
Where can I see red squirrels?
<reg>answer</reg>
Contact your local project <reg>officer</reg> for guidance.
Of the grey squirrel?
What are the <reg>natural</reg> foods of the red squirrel?
<reg>answer</reg>
Seeds and buds of of <reg>Scots</reg> pine, Corsican pine, <reg>Norway</reg> Spruce, Larch, yew, Elm and birch. Hazelnuts and beechnuts as well as rosehips and fungi.
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What are the natural foods of the grey squirrel?
<reg>answer</reg>
<reg>Similar</reg> to the red Squirrel but <reg>acorns</reg> are a more a <reg>important</reg> food <reg>which</reg> the red Squirrels cannot digest as well as the grey squirrel.
Do Squirrels hibernate?
<reg>answer</reg>
NO. Squirrels need To eat <reg>every</reg> day To Survive. Red <reg>Squirrels</reg> bury food when there is a Surplus. They Can then feed on <sic>feed on </sic> it when other food <reg>is</reg> <reg>available</reg>, but grey Squirrels sometimes find it hard winters red squirrels appreciate supplementary feeding even when not threatened by grey Squirrels.
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Where are <reg>Squirrels</reg> found?
all The blue is where you can find <reg>squirrels</reg>
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great <reg>Britain</reg> and <reg>Throughout</reg> <reg>eastern</reg> <reg>northern</reg> <reg>america</reg> from <reg>canada</reg> <note desc="word missing?"> mexico you can find <reg>squirrels</reg>.
Flying <reg>Squirrel</reg> body
This is the <reg>skeleton</reg> of a <reg>squirrel</reg>
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Size
<reg>Length</reg>: body, 27cm. Tail 18cm
Weight: up to 190g.
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When to feed
you can feed red squirrels. at any time of the year. the critical period is during the summer months before fruit and nuts ripen. Feeding in hard weather and after poor seed crops is important. water is also needed.
How to feed
A squirrel table or Standard feeding hopper erected near a hedge or in Woodland will suffice in red-only areas. Where greys are, or may be present, use red-only feeding hoppers that are <reg>designed</reg> to allow access only to the red squirrel. (The heavier grey squirrels falls through a trap door before <reg>reaching</reg> food.)
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<reg>whiskers</reg>
Eyes
ears
Back Bone
Bushy tail
root of tail
hind feet
hands
fingers
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Did you know
A Flying <reg>squirrel</reg> does not really 'fly' in the true sense <reg>of</reg> the word. It cannot power itself through the air like a Bird. Instead it travels for long distances, gliding from tree to tree, on outspread membranes of furry skin that link its wrists and ankles.
Food and feeding
At night the <reg>squirrel</reg> leaves its tree hole home to forage for food. The flying <reg>squirrel</reg> can glide through the air for up to 50m before landing.
Breeding
Baby <reg>squirrels</reg> are naked blind and helpless for the first few weeks of <reg>their</reg> life But they already have well-developed flying <reg>membranes</reg>
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This is a flying <reg>squirrel</reg>
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FLYING SQUIRREL
<reg>here</reg> we have one of the animal world's tiny <reg>wonders</reg> : a very small squirrel. <reg>With</reg> grey fur and <reg>almost</reg> as soft as a Chinchilla's a <UNCLEAR> tail and wide <reg>folds</reg> of skin on <reg>either</reg> side of its <reg>body</reg> . its big ears <reg>inspired</reg> Walt <reg>Disney</reg> to <reg>Create</reg> one of his <reg>enchanting</reg> <reg>screen</reg> <reg>characters</reg> . Though <sic>they</sic> are <reg>several</reg> <reg>species</reg> of flying <reg>squirrel</reg> they have <reg>habitats</reg> <reg>similar</reg> to <reg>those</reg> in <reg>north</reg> <reg>America</reg> <reg>species</reg> <reg>described</reg> <reg>here</reg> .
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Wanted
Annoyed that you have <reg>received</reg> two newsletters in one go? Want fuller news letter more <reg>regularly</reg> ? you can help if you are <reg>available</reg> <note desc="word/s missing?"> attend Ambleside once a year To photocopy The newsletter and <reg>address</reg> and fill in the <reg>envelopes</reg> . The newsletter <reg>Should</reg> be sent 4 times a year so if one or two people could help that would be greatly appreciated. if you can only make one day a year <reg>please</reg> Still let me know. Many thanks in anticipation <note desc="word missing?"> your response.
based at <gap desc="organisation name">
<gap desc="address">
Telephone <gap desc="telephone number">
Charity No <gap desc="charity number">
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How To Feed The red squirrel
Where To Find Food
A <reg>Suitable</reg> Seed mix for feeding hoppers <sic>are</sic>obtainable from
<reg>Lancashire</reg> area
<gap desc="organisation name">
<gap desc="address">
Telephone <gap desc="telephone number">
Cumbria area
<gap desc="organisation name">
<gap desc="address">
Telephone <gap desc="telephone number">
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<reg>Information</reg> That We <reg>Already</reg> Know <reg>About</reg> <reg>Squirrels</reg>
<reg>Squirrels</reg> are very <reg>sensitive</reg> and <reg>their</reg> feet are a <reg>Shape</reg> like This
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<reg>gross</reg> don't you <reg>think</reg>. <reg>squirrels</reg> like to eat horse <reg>chestnuts</reg> or <reg>conkers</reg> they look like this
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They have Sharp Claws To help Them up The Trees That they climb. Like This
<gap desc="figure"> claws
<reg>Squirrels</reg> can jump longer <note desc="word missing"> a <reg>metre</reg> <reg>which</reg> is <reg>quite</reg> big for a squirrel and have a good grip.
me and <name key="Sian"> think <reg>Squirrels</reg> are <reg>cute</reg>
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The <sic>contract</sic> can only be <reg>determined</reg> by <reg>observation</reg>.
The food
a <reg>suitable</reg> mix is : 4 parts maize 4 parts <reg>wheat</reg> 2 parts <reg>peanut</reg> and 1 Sunflower Seeds. a small amount of hazel nuts or pine nuts (<reg>Russian</reg> ) can be added but they are <reg>expensive</reg>.
The hopper
The hopper <reg>which</reg> is <reg>given</reg> through a hopper <reg>which</reg> red squirrels <reg>access</reg> to the food, <reg>which</reg> tips out grey <reg>Squirrels</reg> <note desc="word/s missing"> of <reg>Their</reg> greater weight, before they reach the food. the hopper has a see-saw <reg>floor</reg> in the tunnel entrance; it is set to hold up the open position when a 320g weight is placed Just inside the entrance, and to fall down to the closed position when 400g weight is added. <reg>Adjustments</reg> are made by <reg>either</reg> moving the magnet <reg>forwards</reg> or <reg>backwards</reg> or <reg>altering</reg> the <reg>position</reg> of the counterweights.
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<gap desc="imported material">?
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I got my mum to go to the library for me to get me some Books on <reg>Squirrels</reg>. My Mum got me two Books one called grey <reg>squirrels</reg> and the other was called <reg>squirrels</reg> I read the Books and found My information I wrote it out in my own words. When my mum came home from work she gave me a leaflet that she had got from the library. I got a telephone number and I rang up and asked for some information. two days later I got some leaflets on <reg>squirrels</reg>.
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here is A <reg>picture</reg> of a <reg>squirrel</reg> And some 'Food'
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<name key="Jessica Scott">
1. Do you like squirrels? <gap desc="response by classmate">
2. Why do you like them? <gap desc="response by classmate">
3. Which is your favourite type of squirrel? <gap desc="response by classmate">
4. Why? <gap desc="response by classmate">
5. Is a squirrel your favourite type of animal? no
<name key="Tommy">
1. Do you like squirrels? <gap desc="response by classmate">
2. Why do you like them? <gap desc="response by classmate">
3. Which is your favourite type of squirrel? <gap desc="response by classmate">
4. Why? <gap desc="response by classmate">
5. Is a squirrel your favourite type of animal? <gap desc="response by classmate">
<name key="Louise">
1. Do you like squirrels? <gap desc="response by classmate">
2. Why do you like them? <gap desc="response by classmate">
3. Which is your favourite type of squirrel? <gap desc="response by classmate">
4. Why? <gap desc="response by classmate">
5. Is a squirrel your favourite type of animal? <gap desc="response by classmate">
<note desc="11 further pages of completed questionnaires follow">