Best time to see: all year
Key facts
Our native squirrel, now largely replaced by its grey American cousin but recently reintroduced to Essex
Habitat: confined mainly to conifer woods where its smaller size gives it an advantage over grey squirrels
Widespread across Europe, but in England confined to pockets of conifer woodland,the Isle of Wight and Mersea Island
Recognition
Chestnut red to black, with ear tufts in winter; body up to 27 cm with bushy tail almost as long
Agile climber, active in daytime; stores nuts for winter use
Feeds on nuts, shoots, pine cones, fungi, birds' eggs
Lifecycle
Nest (or 'drey') is a sperical ball of twigs and leaves lined with lichen and moss, usually in a dense conifer
Up to 3 litters a year (depending on food supply) of up to 8 young
Does not hibernate but stays in nest in bad weather
© Leslie Borg