While I waited for the bus this morning, it hit me–there weren’t any squirrels running around. How odd. Usually, there are a zillion squirrels in the yards along that road. About 100 feet from the bus stop, there is an electric line going over the street, and the squirrels use it as an overpass. I find it endlessly amusing to watch them walk the tightrope while I’m waiting.
This morning? Not one single squirrel.
I also remember seeing three or four different albino squirrels on my neighborhood walks last summer. We had no shortage of squirrels last year. The only squirrel I’ve seen this year was one in my front yard, and I realized I haven’t seen him recently. Here he is last year (or at least a relative of his):
I’m starting to think maybe the long, cold, snowy winter and cold, wet spring have knocked down the population. This was a rougher winter than we’ve had in about eight or nine years. Or maybe they are tending to young in their nests at the moment, and that’s why they aren’t out and about?
I do seem to have a thing for squirrels. Over twenty years ago when I was looking at colleges, I came back from a visit to Kent State and reported to my mom that they have black squirrels there. Some time later, we went to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where I noticed how huge the campus squirrels were. “Are you looking at colleges, or looking at squirrels?” my mom joked.
Oh well. If the population did drop this winter, no doubt it will bounce back again fairly quickly. I imagine squirrels breed like rabbits (which we have plenty of this year). Until then, I’ll just have to find some other way to amuse myself while waiting for the bus in the morning.
Hi. Over the years I have observed that squirrels do a disappearing act in late Spring. I think they are tending to their babies. Don’t worry, they’ll be back.
MAS
Ah, that’s an interesting thought. Maybe that’s what it is. Thanks for commenting!
It’s fall. October, 2009. I’m wondering too……where are the squirrels? There are plenty of acorns around. But not one single squirrel. I live in Connecticut. This is extremely unusual. Any thoughts?
Hi Debbie,
Hard to say. Maybe you’ve hit a stretch of colder days and they’re off staying warm somewhere? Or maybe they’re off plotting.
I’ve seen lots of squirrels running around recently. They must be getting ready for winter. A couple of days ago, one became startled when I pulled my garbage can up from the curb and fell out of the tree right in front of me. He hit the pavement pretty hard, but he ran off and scurried up the next tree. So I think he was ok.
Anyway, I’m sure your squirrels will return.
Debbie! I, too, live in Connecticut and we are always trying to keep the squirrels away from our birdfeeders, as they adore sunflower seeds. They would scurry around on the decks and peek into the windows to see if we were around! There were zillions of them until about a month ago (maybe longer), and I agree that it is extremely unusual. We are surrounded by trees and woodlands. As annoying as they can be, I miss them. I have been wondering the same thing and even did some research, but so far, I have come up empty. Today is 10/30/09, Pomfret, CT.