Posted on behalf of FoMS: http://www.friendsofmarplestation.co.uk/Friends of Marple Station - Squirrel Appreciation Day January 2022Friends of Marple Station have set up a small display at the station to mark National Squirrel Day (yesterday) and will be leaving it up for a couple of months.
There’s also a special poem written by one of their members – Martin Delamere ...
Squirrels During the heat of the hot summer’s day
We keep out of sight; hide in our drey,
Tucked safely away from those fierce birds of prey.
We nimbly jump and run deftly along
Bending branches, thin yet so very strong.
We feel at home here; it’s a place we belong.
Sharp incisors gnaw on hazelnuts in reach.
We quickly demolish the shells of the beech
And chestnut; we eat them all, love them each.
Well-prepared for the early frost on the hill
And the harsh, long winter’s icy chill.
We are warm in our drey and eat our fill.
Nuts stored in myriad caches buried deep
Craftily concealed from thieves ever watchful peep,
Tasty and plentiful, energy in every hidden heap.
But humans introduced that squirrel grey
For us red squirrels it was a bad, bad day.
Their virus spread amongst us, many passed away.
The grey squirrel eyed us all with scorn.
They gained proteins and fats from each acorn,
Which we could not; we were lost, all forlorn.
We retreated, moved to live in trees of spruce and pine
Which grew in abundance up north. We’ll be fine
With mountains high, clear air and some sunshine.
Meanwhile, those grey squirrels recklessly invade
Groomed gardens. Bird feeders suffer each raid,
While humans can only stand and watch dismayed.
We still keep a fearful eye scanning for the stoat,
Owl and wily weasel. But I have to note
Pine martens eat the grey. Try not to gloat.
But don’t you humans fret. Don’t you even fear.
Sit down by your fireside, read out loud and clear
Comforting tales of Squirrel Nutkin, the one with the tufty ear.
Martin Delemare 2022
