Squirrel and Holly berries

Snot

For the last few days I’ve had a squirrel frantically taking berries off the holly tree and burying them in the lawn.  Normally I’m battling to keep them off the bird feeders, but this one is ignoring the feeders and going mad with the berries.

Much more entertaining than watching the tv.

I’ve never seen them do this before, is this typical behaviour ?

Apodemus

Red or grey?   ...not that I've seen either going for holly berries! 

Snot

Just the common grey.

Apodemus

Greys certainly seem to get manic for burying things that they like the look of, so it might be that this one's eye has been caught by a stock of attractive looking berries, even if they turn out to not be great eating.  We only have reds here and I've not seem them show any interest in holly, but perhaps someone else can confirm if they've seen greys actually eating holly berries. 

MalMonroe

Yes squirrels do store and eat holly berries. They are good for them although toxic to humans and dogs, and perhaps other species of domesticated animal. 

I love our wildlife here in the UK and hate the way people place so much importance on lawns and gardens when we are very privileged to have such beautiful creatures in our lives. In our garden we have squirrels, foxes, badgers as well as moles who are free as far as I'm concerned to make just as many hills as they wish. Call me daft but I prefer to see those rather than flat, boring lawns any day.

[Deleted User]

I love to see a good lawn, having had badgers annihilate my previous one and cause damage to other areas, i'm not a big fan - i'll send them across to you now i know you like them, though  👍

in_my_wellies

I didn't know squirrels ate holly berries. I have a very tall and full one which I've so far only seen blackbirds eating although the tits hide in it. 

I agree with Catsacor, the badgers have 20 acres of woodland behind my house and 30 acres of rough fields in front without roads, well just the one to my house, so they are not welcome in my garden. I have 6' security and deer fence all round put in by the landlord but only know there are little muntjac - how high can they jump? 

I've haven't seen a squirrel yet but they surely must be about, maybe they stay in the trees. I've not been here for a winter yet. 

twopenny

I saw a squirell burying something in our local public gardens and there are no hollies or nut trees there.

I'm curious as to what it was but not curious enough to go and dig it up to see

in_my_wellies

twopenny said:

I saw a squirell burying something in our local public gardens and there are no hollies or nut trees there.

I'm curious as to what it was but not curious enough to go and dig it up to see

Go on - you know you want to!

[Deleted User]

MalMonroe said:

Yes squirrels do store and eat holly berries. They are good for them although toxic to humans and dogs, and perhaps other species of domesticated animal. 

I love our wildlife here in the UK and hate the way people place so much importance on lawns and gardens when we are very privileged to have such beautiful creatures in our lives. In our garden we have squirrels, foxes, badgers as well as moles who are free as far as I'm concerned to make just as many hills as they wish. Call me daft but I prefer to see those rather than flat, boring lawns any day.

Totally with you @MalMonroe!
I love wildlife and am happy to leave them to it in my garden - I have a multitude of squirrels, birds, bats and deer all visiting regularly and I love it! I don't care if they wreck/eat some stuff (and they do!) watching them makes it all worth it 😊
Other people's  cats however are a different matter altogether.....

MalMonroe

smushesma said:

MalMonroe said:

Yes squirrels do store and eat holly berries. They are good for them although toxic to humans and dogs, and perhaps other species of domesticated animal. 

I love our wildlife here in the UK and hate the way people place so much importance on lawns and gardens when we are very privileged to have such beautiful creatures in our lives. In our garden we have squirrels, foxes, badgers as well as moles who are free as far as I'm concerned to make just as many hills as they wish. Call me daft but I prefer to see those rather than flat, boring lawns any day.

Totally with you @MalMonroe!
I love wildlife and am happy to leave them to it in my garden - I have a multitude of squirrels, birds, bats and deer all visiting regularly and I love it! I don't care if they wreck/eat some stuff (and they do!) watching them makes it all worth it 😊
Other people's  cats however are a different matter altogether.....

Ah well, I do like cats . . .  so - everyone's welcome in my garden!