Lots of red squirrel activity in the Firs Chase garden on Saturday 27th with six different individuals visiting the feeders at various times during the afternoon. Three youngsters are recognised by their blackish ear tufts - although the strong wind on Saturday blew this youngster's tufts down horizontally!
Occasionally the three youngsters have been seen at the same time on the cedar tree in the garden having a feed and a drink, sometimes having a nibble of the old deer antler bone.
This youngster was enjoying the mixed nuts at one of the feeders. The main feeder has been visited so often that it needs replenishing with another cupful every other day. Occasionally the young have had to climb right inside the feeder to reach the nuts, leaving just its bushy tail sticking out!
A female was then seen in the back garden having a drink from the half-barrel water feature on Saturday.
After having a drink the female then took a hazelnut from one of the feeders, later climbing onto the garage roof to eat it. This individual has been a regular visitor and might be the mum of the youngsters as the teats were very visible a fortnight ago.
A second female red squirrel that has a slightly scruffier fur also made a brief visit on Saturday. One of her teats can just be seen in the white fur near its armpit.
Other red squirrel sightings in West Mersea reported recently to me were one in Prince Albert Road on Sunday 21st by Martin Cock and another seen crossing Fairhaven Avenue in front of the Mersea Lions bus being driven by Adrian Amos on Monday 15th.
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