Tuesday, May 13th
We respect wildlife. Butch raccoon, Winnifred Groundhog, et al, all manage here on Crumbly Acres. We donate monthly to this group, Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. RVWS rehabilitates critters citizens bring in to them, rehabilitate then release them within a certain distance of the place they were found. That's where we fit in!
We were to pick up a Gray Squirrel (black morph) and put him in the box up the tree. First step was getting the ladder up while Joe was shopping, the car was out of the garage, and ladder access was good.
We left around 9:15, drove to Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary to pick him up. About a 45-minute drive, it was a terrific. Joe drives, I take photos! It's flat, and mostly bog, swamp or wetland. It is peaceful. On this quiet roads, obviously snow machine trails in winter...they are walking trails in summer.
It's familiar territory, we've been here many times bringing in injured wildlife. Also, I lived in North Gower for a few years, up until 1993!
#75, as he is called, was pretty pissed off for the 45 minutes, 55 km trip home. Well, to be honest, he shut up about 5 minutes from his new home!
Arriving home around noon, I called my friend, Kit, as I'd asked her for help. Joe makes me nervous when I'm up a ladder! (It relates to an incident in 2004-ish, when the ladder I was on slipped. The legs slid on the deck, and I fell off! Lunch plate-sized bruising on my legs.)
Here he is in the box, not too happy! He is wild, and they wisely didn't habituate him to humans. You can see him trying to rip off the mesh while I figured out how to do this. They told us that some squirrel fire themselves out the hole once it is open.
We were ready! Kit kindly kept the ladder still. My arms were sore the next day. Ain't old age grand?! The box is fairly light, just tricky hanging onto the box, holding the heavy drill, and then switching drill bits mid-project. You know how that goes. I was prepared and ducked. There was no reaction! Good thing! It took about 10 minutes, I sped up the video.
We secured his nest box 10' up a tree, then leave him alone. Bird seed is placed at the base of the tree, and water is nearby.
They think it'll take a few days to venture forth. It may or may not come back to the box. It could take off. Who knows?!
Later in the day...
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| Meet #75! |
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| He peeked out at 3:30, |
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| even Winnifred was hot. |
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| We warned him about the hawk flying above! |
It took awhile! I got a sunburn sitting watching for him.
The two boys had a nap at 3 p.m., #75 squirrel and Joe!
Wed., May 14th
I awoke at 6 a.m. and peeked outside. There he was, languishing on the branch. He seems to be somewhat crepuscular, only outside the box at dusk and dawn. This is a good survival technique for many critters, to avoid humans.
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| This was 5:30 a.m. |
After brekkie and coffee, Joe put out more bird seed for #75 and checked the water dish.
I went over later to grab the ladder, and spotted empty sunflower seed shells. All good signs.
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| 6:30 p.m. |
Thursday, May 15th
It's 5:30 a.m. and he's back out on the branch! All good signs. At 6:30 I saw him come down the tree for food or water. We'll see if it takes a week or two for #75 leaves his nest box. I know we've had a mink, fox, barred owl, all potential predators. He may stay or may leave. But he is free! We're to feed him for 2 weeks or so. I saw him run back up the tree. I took a photo, and back he went into his nest box.
It feels good, with all the death and destruction, hate and anger in the world, to create a little peace, a new home for a critter, and kindness.
He only comes out once a day?
17 comments:
Hari OM
Such a joyous post to read (and watch!) YAM xx
Such a lovely story and particularly nice to watch the squirrel start exploring the world.
He is a lucky squirrel.
Oh, this was great to follow along. He's a beautiful squirrel, I've tried a few times to spot the family of black squirrels we have (near a church) here in our town - but they are never out when I try.
Beautiful photos and videos.
This is just fascinating. Hats off to you! I hope he succeeds well.
Though you name so many of the critters around you, I guess #75 will remain his name. So glad you were successful at "rehabilitating" him to your tree. I do hope none of the predators noticed him!
Nice thing to do. He looks tiny! Glad you had some ladder assistance. Linda in Kansas
I love this. He's so darn cute too.
Good for you!
Hard work indeed up a ladder and a cordless drill, they are so heavy with the battery as well. You are a real trooper, and it looks as though this will be a resounding success.
You never cease to impress me with your kindness to all, human and animal, bird, etc. Jenn. Thoroughly enjoyed this though I was very worried for you up that ladder after hearing about your fall. I can relate having had many falls over the years. To see this little fella come back was a delight. Your last sentence, so profound. Thank you!
This is really great!!
That squirrel has been given quite a nice home.
May he or she do well.
Thank you so much. I needed to see/read this.
It's pretty exciting to see an animal released back to the wild. People bring in ducklings thinking they are lost. You just throw them in the first wetland with that species and it's done. Duckling cousins go from one family to the other all day.
Well done ... a lovely post.
All the best Jan
Oh he will be just fine, squirrels are pretty smart.
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