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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/11/country-diary-autumn-particularly-busy-for-red-squirrels-of-formby
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| Country diary: autumn is particularly busy for red squirrels of Formby | Country diary: autumn is particularly busy for red squirrels of Formby |
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| Formby, Merseyside This patch of pine forest by the sea is a great spot for a close encounter with these charismatic British natives | |
| Ella Davies | |
| Sat 11 Nov 2017 05.30 GMT | |
| Last modified on Mon 27 Nov 2017 13.56 GMT | |
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| It’s off-season at the coast, but you would only know by the bite in the wind. The sky is faultlessly blue, the sunlight golden, and parking is still a squeeze. Visitors flock year-round to Formby’s patch of pine forest, separated from the Irish Sea by soft white sand dunes. While a determined few have brought their buckets and spades, most of us are here for the wildlife. | It’s off-season at the coast, but you would only know by the bite in the wind. The sky is faultlessly blue, the sunlight golden, and parking is still a squeeze. Visitors flock year-round to Formby’s patch of pine forest, separated from the Irish Sea by soft white sand dunes. While a determined few have brought their buckets and spades, most of us are here for the wildlife. |
| Just steps from the car park you can see red squirrels, actively foraging throughout the seasons. It’s a great spot to bring nature-loving friends for a close encounter, but my last visit in 2009 was unexpectedly bleak. The previous year, Formby had been hit by the deadly squirrelpox and lost 85% of the population. But they have made a remarkable recovery, and are almost back to their pre-pox numbers. | Just steps from the car park you can see red squirrels, actively foraging throughout the seasons. It’s a great spot to bring nature-loving friends for a close encounter, but my last visit in 2009 was unexpectedly bleak. The previous year, Formby had been hit by the deadly squirrelpox and lost 85% of the population. But they have made a remarkable recovery, and are almost back to their pre-pox numbers. |
| Within minutes of joining the dedicated squirrel trail, I am delighted to see several small shapes scampering between the regimented lines of the conifer plantation. Autumn is a particularly busy time for them as they cache the seasonal bounty of nuts and seeds for winter sustenance. | Within minutes of joining the dedicated squirrel trail, I am delighted to see several small shapes scampering between the regimented lines of the conifer plantation. Autumn is a particularly busy time for them as they cache the seasonal bounty of nuts and seeds for winter sustenance. |
| Living on the edge of town and visited daily by adoring fans, these are arguably urban squirrels. These reds are not bothered by excitable dogs, brightly clothed toddlers or a small amateur paparazzi scrum on the path. The teenage girls with a selfie stick elicit a few warning squeaks, though, before their Instagram crush zips up a tree away from the attention. | Living on the edge of town and visited daily by adoring fans, these are arguably urban squirrels. These reds are not bothered by excitable dogs, brightly clothed toddlers or a small amateur paparazzi scrum on the path. The teenage girls with a selfie stick elicit a few warning squeaks, though, before their Instagram crush zips up a tree away from the attention. |
| Red squirrels are undeniably worthy pin-ups, from their twitchy blond noses to their fluffy auburn tails. And their ear tufts, which start to grow longer at this time of year, ready to provide extra protection from the cold. | Red squirrels are undeniably worthy pin-ups, from their twitchy blond noses to their fluffy auburn tails. And their ear tufts, which start to grow longer at this time of year, ready to provide extra protection from the cold. |
| In quiet moments, I hear the clatter of claws on crisp pine bark before I can spot the squirrels whipping around tree trunks. Where they briefly pause in the pine needles, I admire their varied colours, from bright ginger through to sooty brick red. The National Trust is celebrating 50 years of caring for the area and its charismatic residents. Formby’s reds have truly enduring appeal. | In quiet moments, I hear the clatter of claws on crisp pine bark before I can spot the squirrels whipping around tree trunks. Where they briefly pause in the pine needles, I admire their varied colours, from bright ginger through to sooty brick red. The National Trust is celebrating 50 years of caring for the area and its charismatic residents. Formby’s reds have truly enduring appeal. |
| This article was amended on 14 November 2017 to correct the location of Formby. | This article was amended on 14 November 2017 to correct the location of Formby. |
| Follow Country diary on Twitter: @gdncountrydiary | Follow Country diary on Twitter: @gdncountrydiary |
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