owdlad   10 #13 Posted August 17, 2005 Originally posted by silverfish anyone know where to buy a squirrel trap?  Try here http://www.trap-man.com/squirrel-traps.htm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
H.P Â Â 10 #14 Posted August 17, 2005 We have two greys in the trees at the bottom of the garden. I had no Idea that they steal eggs and chicks.. this would explain why the magpies were going crackers the otherday.I cant work out whos nest it is in the tree. I thought the magpies were trying to get the squirrils young from the nest, but maybe it was the other way round. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
willman   10 #15 Posted August 17, 2005 i'm sure they are vermin. but they're cute.got a couple near my stbales that are a pleasure to watch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Abdul   10 #16 Posted August 17, 2005 Originally posted by honeyplanet We have two greys in the trees at the bottom of the garden. I had no Idea that they steal eggs and chicks.. this would explain why the magpies were going crackers the otherday.  Me neither. I always thought squirrels were herbivores Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
H.P Â Â 10 #17 Posted August 17, 2005 Originally posted by Abdul Me neither. I always thought squirrels were herbivores Well yes I did too Abdul, I have been bitten by an injured grey before I still have the scars (they have lockjawyou know) I leave monkey nuts out for the two in the trees and they sit and eat them on the wall.. Maybe I should leave them a couple of eggs instead Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
willman   10 #18 Posted August 17, 2005 they are herbivores however they do apparently raid the odd nest for eggs. not sure if thats all of them or the ones that have learnt to do it thru neccessity. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Abdul   10 #19 Posted August 17, 2005 Originally posted by willman they are herbivores however they do apparently raid the odd nest for eggs. not sure if thats all of them or the ones that have learnt to do it thru neccessity.  If it only the eggs they go for and not the chicks, that would makes sense, I suppose. They're vegetarian, not vegan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
spinny   10 #20 Posted August 17, 2005 Catch them then set them free in the in the botanical gardens.  I only ever seen them hear and it such fun to watch them run arround wile you have your picknick and throw nuts to them so they dont nick your food  But no i think they are vermin but are sweet to look at,Better lookin then some other vermin we have hear. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
uncleheed   10 #21 Posted August 17, 2005 I like taking the kids to the Botanicals to feed the squirells.  My daughter thinks its great when they take the nuts out of her hands. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
mojoworking   10 #22 Posted August 17, 2005 The problem with grey squirrels is not that they're vermin (that's a matter of opinion) but that they're an introduced species - ie not indigenous to Britain.  As such they have become so successful that they have driven the indigenous Red Squirrel to the brink of extinction. They also do a lot of damage to trees etc, which is the main reason people hate them.  To those animal lovers feeling sorry for the grey squirrels, think on this. In Australia, camels, donkeys and horses which were used for transportation in the outback a century ago, escaped into the wild and have bred to incredible proportions.  I forget the exact figures but something like TEN THOUSAND wild horses and camels are shot every year to keep them from breaking fences and/or eating crops. Personally I find it disgusting that this slaughter happens, but not many Australians seem to give a toss. "We must protect the farmers' livelihood", is the stock reply whenever the carnage is mentioned. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
GHS1961 Â Â 10 #23 Posted August 17, 2005 Hate the little sods, more so since I caught one devouring the young from a nest of Great tits in my garden. I have managed to despatch a couple with a spade. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
cgksheff   44 #24 Posted August 17, 2005 Reply from RSPB:  Hello *******  Grey squirrels do take birds eggs and fledglings. They are just one of a wide variety of animals that will raid nests. This is probably not a major part of their diet but over the birds breeding season squirrels will inevitably come across nests and take advantage of an easy meal. Of course there are birds that will eat squirrels and their young. Not only birds of prey but corvids could take young squirrels.  Regards  Richard James Wildlife Advisor RSPB UK HQ The Lodge, Sandy, Beds, England SG19 2DL 01767 680551 http://www.rspb.org.uk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...