Don't remember them being widespread, but I do remember 'pockets' and we used to look out for them when on holiday in Wales and Devon - but then I'm remembering from a very long way back .............
I also seem to remember that at one time it was thought they were cross-breedng, but then it was discovered that some greys do have a reddish tinge to their fur - we had greys at work and some of them were 'ginger-ish'.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Yes- maybe a pocket of them - I wonder if anyone tried to control the greys there at the time or if they just let nature take its course.
I find reds quite distinct looking - I've seen reds more recently in Northumberland and that is how I remember them, although I know there are sort of russet tinged greys.
Whilst I'm a big advocate of protecting red squirrels, living no where near any myself the main problem we have with the greys in our garden is that they eat such a lot of the bird seed, and when theyr'e there the birds don't get a look in. We're trying chilli pepper in the seed today to see if that works as an uncomfortable but harmless way of dissuading them.
Bookmonster - I think that a lot of people genuinely want to be more organic and avoid using nasty pestecides which are indescriminate of what they kill and one way in doing so is by trying to encourage certain wildlife to your garden to do the housekeeping for you.
Greys seem to scare birds off which you want to feed on the slugs, snails and what not.
It is an odd situation because on one hand you want to encourage wildlife to your garden and on the other you want to discourage it too.
It is a catch 22 situation. I think, if I'm honest, I've come to learn to enjoy the grey. I just worry that if we let one native species go do we let others go also?
I guess it's about keeping things in balance. Grey squirrels are lovely in themselves, and their intelligence can make them fun to watch, but they can also be a nuisance. Much like the jackdaws, they're intelligent and interesting to watch but can eat more than their fair share. I try and avoid using pesticides and would be very grateful if the birds ate more of the slugs and snails!
Tell me about it! I've taken to leaving out some plants that are designated slug and snail plants. Just praying for a really big hedgehog to come along to the buffet!
I collected up a load of slugs yesterday and put them down where the bird food is. Not one bird touched them, they dried out in the end and I threw them in the bin.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
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Don't remember them being widespread, but I do remember 'pockets' and we used to look out for them when on holiday in Wales and Devon - but then I'm remembering from a very long way back .............
I also seem to remember that at one time it was thought they were cross-breedng, but then it was discovered that some greys do have a reddish tinge to their fur - we had greys at work and some of them were 'ginger-ish'.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Yes- maybe a pocket of them - I wonder if anyone tried to control the greys there at the time or if they just let nature take its course.
I find reds quite distinct looking - I've seen reds more recently in Northumberland and that is how I remember them, although I know there are sort of russet tinged greys.
Greys seem to scare birds off which you want to feed on the slugs, snails and what not.
It is an odd situation because on one hand you want to encourage wildlife to your garden and on the other you want to discourage it too.
It is a catch 22 situation. I think, if I'm honest, I've come to learn to enjoy the grey. I just worry that if we let one native species go do we let others go also?
I guess it's about keeping things in balance. Grey squirrels are lovely in themselves, and their intelligence can make them fun to watch, but they can also be a nuisance. Much like the jackdaws, they're intelligent and interesting to watch but can eat more than their fair share. I try and avoid using pesticides and would be very grateful if the birds ate more of the slugs and snails!
I collected up a load of slugs yesterday and put them down where the bird food is. Not one bird touched them, they dried out in the end and I threw them in the bin.
Their parents probably told them not to accept sweeties from strangers
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.