wildlife

For a red squirrel Holiday
at a Scottish Holiday Cottage

If you would like a Red Squirrel Holiday, with squirrels regulalry seen at feeders around your self catering acccommodation, Squirrel Cottage is the place to stay.

Update - The squirrels are eating a huge amount from our peanut feeders in August. At the end of May we have a very severe frost that killed much of the new shoots of all the vegetation and I am sure the blossom on the trees and bushes. We suspect it is going to be a very hard winter for the red squirrels and bird in Highland Perthshire.

Red squirrels abound in the trees surrounding Squirrel Cottage self catering apartment. We have a number of peanut feeders strategically situated in the oak woods at the back of Squirrel Cottage and one in the trees up the drive toSquirrel Cottage. Red Squirrels are now found in an area of Highland Scotland and northern England. We are very fortunate to see them regularly through out the year here in Killiecrankie.

All the photographs shown here have been taken in the area immediately surrounding Squirrel Cottage.

In deep winter red squirrels will often be seen on the feeders even during a snow storm.

Red squirrels spend almost all their time in the tree tops and occasionally will be seen on the ground searching for or burying nuts from our feeders.

Red squirrels are solitary animals that are at their most active in the mornings and early evenings. They can store little body fat, so need to eat regularly so spend up to 80% of their time searching for food.

The squirrels feed by lifting the lid and getting some peanuts out. They will then sit on the feeder ledge and munch away and then back in for another hand full of peanuts. Occasionally one decides to get in to the feeder with the nuts.

Red squirrels have a life span up to 7 years. They do not hibernate, during winter months, so need to feed and gather excess food which they hide away underneath the soil for their winter store.

Female red squirrels give birth to 3 to 6 naked, toothless young generally in February & March (not the warmest months), and again between May and August. The young are independent after about 10 weeks. Research shows that up to 80% of the young do not survive the first winter.

Occasionally the red squirrels are found on our bird feeders. It is something we do not advise nor encourage as we have three elderly cats, who are unlikely to catch them, but there is always a chance.

Squirrel Cottage is ideal if you are looking for a Red Squirrels holiday.

© Copyright 2004 Squirrel Cottage. All rights reserved.

21st – 28th July 2007 Squirrel Report
A wonderful return visit to the cottage – even more
squirrels than last year!

Squirrels sited during our stay:-
Hazel – Middle year, monotone tail, little white at tip.

Pipkin – First year, looks like Hazel with lighter tail,
jumpy, naïve.

Bigwig – Senior year, striped tail, ¼ white, large
bushy tail, distinct vibe of “You kids get off my lawn!”
when handling others.

Brer/Sirius – Middle year, Dark brown tail, loves to
tease Bigwig.

Quill/McGonagal – Senior, All white feathery tail, no
nonsense attitude, holds tail up.

Fred – First/middle ½ of tail Dark red, often seen with
George, mischievous.

George – First/middle, ½ of tail light red/white, often
seen with Fred, playful.

Heather – Middle, tail looks red when hanging, white at
sides when up holds tail up, but to one side.

Thistlethorn – First/middle, dark tail, white at top when
up, blink and you’ll miss her.

Cowlick – First year, top of head & fluffy, small, light
brown tail, very sweet.

Half-Tail/Marguerite – First/middle, Name speaks for itself.

Scraggle – Middle, scraggly tail, dark back and nose.
Holds tail.

Flick – Middle, v.white tip to tail, fox-like, uses tail
gestures.

Q.T. – First year, brave, hyper, speedy and twitchy.
Always moving, tail mostly red, tiny bit of white. Thinks
everything is edible.

Jason – Middle year, dark brown massive tail. Bold, good
acrobat.

We just love it here! Best recommendation is that we
hope to come back for the 3rd year running!

Melonie & Rebz.
Lincolnshire

• Views from the hills above Killiecrankie.
  Squirrel cottage is located in the pass
  below this hill top view.