A softer side - The Red Squirrel Returns

Some people have commented that my previous blogs were too serious or even made me sound a little bitter! Most of these comments came from members of my family who clearly are worrying I am becoming too mature. One nice stranger did say , in capital letters, that he agreed with every word and told me to keep it up. I visited his blog and became a little worried by his rich use of the F word and others things I couldn't mention on a blog like this. So this week I thought I would cover something concerning nature or something wholesome maybe.

The idea came to me as I looked out of my window at home into the garden to see about 6 grey squirrels causing chaos - digging up bulbs, doing gymnastics on the wall and trees, staring into the kitchen through the patio door as if to say "come on if you think you're hard enough" and so on. The 'Bullies of the squirrel world." Recently I had just chanced upon a report discussing the return of the Red Squirrel in some areas of the UK. The grey and red don't mix of course - sort of from the other side of the tracks. The red has been almost wiped out in Britain apart from some areas like Anglesay and Northumberland. The Grey is bigger, more aggressive and destructive eating bulbs and the like and known to eat small birds also. More importantly it carries a virus which is deadly to the red - some form of Squirrel Pox I believe. - bigger, more aggressive and full of pox. What's cute about that? Sort of like a south London housing estate gang. I've now started giving them names - Wayne, Vicki Pollard, Karl and so on. It reminded when my kids were young taking them to a very nice local park, full of squirrels and called by the local conservationist types " The Squirrel Park". How soft and cuddly and original name was that?(sorry I'm slipping into my usual self.) I sat on a bench when a grey squirrel jumped onto my neck - the kids screamed and were scarred for life. I'm sure I heard it say "Give us the bread you muppet".

So I have to admit I'm happy to hear the Red is making a comeback in some areas which are being cleared of grey leaving the altogether nicer red to flourish. More birdsong, less environmental damage, a much better and well behaved sort of middle class squirrel. Which make it difficult seeing these hooligan poxy greys around my house. I wanted to do a clearance project of my own but it is not a popular idea - you know some home made traps, food from the fridge 3 years past it's sell by date, poison - so I've backed off for now but every time I see one looking into the house I think "Your days are numbered you poxy ...."