Squirrel Tunnels

[deb&tony]

Hi All-
With arctic outflow winds, temperature that 'feels like' -27C and snow drifts nearing up to a metre in height, we've been busy putting out extra feed for the birds and creating areas where they can access feed on the ground as well. While watching the bird activity out the kitchen window this morning, I saw a Douglas Squirrel jump into a tree well and emerge some 10 metres away at the base of the squirrel feeder tree! It had tunneled under about 50 cms of snow. Industrious little guys!

No unusual backyard visitors except for two Varied Thrushes that have come down to lower levels.

Another Snow Day in Hope...

deb

[Janne]

I had a Douglas and a Grey Squirrel foraging in my back yard today as well as a black rat walking along the fence and launching itself towards a compost bin. Not sure where the rat went but assume into the bin. The Douglas and Grey more or less traveled via tree branches before scampering down the big-leaf maple and jumping onto the bird feeder.

There's a fox sparrow amongst the flocks of house finch (15), song sparrows (8) spotted towhee (6) chestnut-backed chickadee (6)and dark-eyed juncos (20). A variety of other visitors including downy woodpecker, northern flicker, black-capped chickadee, red-wing blackbird, pine siskin and northwest crow frequent the back yard.

In this bitter weather feeders are a life-line for wildlife.

Janne Perrin
Harrison Hot Springs

[deb&tony]

A few photos of the backyard:



and the squirrel snow tunnel exit: