Nimrod, the Mighty Hunter is really in our good books at the moment because after years of trying he has caught, and disposed of, a squirrel. I looked out of the kitchen window to see him crouching on the patio with the creature in his jaws.
I am not sure just how loudly to laud his actions because about 50% of the population of Great Britain look at the grey squirrel's big eyes and sweet face and say "Aahh" and think it looks cuddly. The rest of the population, including this Household, see a squirrel and think "Tree Rat". A squirrel is just a rat with a big bushy tail. Admittedly it can be seen doing tricks, but these are usually attempts to pinch the food left out for the birds and are just an indication of what a thieves they are.
We've had intimate experience of a squirrel August last year, possibly this one I'm not sure. When we investigated some scratching and rustling that we heard in the sitting room of our house. Our investigations led led us to discover that a squirrel had moved into the eves of the house. I put Nimrod into a cupboard that led into the eves in the hope that the cat would chase it out. He didn't succeed unfortunately as we saw it the next day getting into and out of its lodging via a small hole. So the Husband hammered the hole shut and a couple of hours later we saw the squirrel making determined efforts to get in. Failing, it then saw the open window to the Stepson's bedroom and headed towards it at a rate of knots. We had to yell to the Stepson to close the window quickly to stop the squirrel getting into the house. I am not sure whether this was the squirrel we had dealing with last year - there has been at least two recently playing on our fence and in our trees. At least the squirrel population of our garden is reduced by one.
6 comments:
Squirrel makes good eating, if one is so inclined. We had squirrel and rabbit, on occasion, WIWAK (when I was a kid). We raised rabbits for food, but not squirrels. We have an over-abundance of them around here. We just put more food out so that there is plenty for the birds and the critters.
Cop Car
I have to agree, Grey Squirrels, and I assume you are talking about the Greys, are basically vermin - particularly in town and city environments. But I also get irrationally angry because they have forced out our native Red Squirrels to small enclaves, requiring a high level of protection.
Mark. Yes I was definitely talking about Grey Squirrels. I live in Essex and so we only see those. Talk about Nature being red in tooth and claw - the way that Grey Squirrels have driven Reds into such small areas is a prime example of this. At least the Reds are protected where they are. And the Greys are, I understand, being kept out of those areas. I hope a time will come when Reds can occupy a much larger area or even replace the Greys altogether.
CopCar, Rabbits are eaten over here, although not nearly as much nowadays than in the past, but Squirrels. No. I have heard of squirrels being eaten in the US (Didn't the Beverly HillBillies eat them?) but as far as I am aware we've never eaten squirrels.
Squirrels are quite low fat and a little on the stringy side, but taste quite good. One works hard for too little meat, however. I don't understand people who go out to shoot pigeons or doves. Surely, one fork full of meat isn't worth the time and effort to clean the bird?!
Cop Car
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