31st Jul 2024, by Guest Blogger
Summer is a wonderful time to appreciate Scotland’s charismatic red squirrels! From summer coats, to unusual foods, to well-deserved afternoon siestas. Read on below for our guide to their behaviours during this (sometimes!) sunny season for you to observe and enjoy!
Perthshire Summer Red (c) Raymond Leinster
Ear Tufts & Summer Coats
The fur of red squirrels can vary from almost black to chestnut or light brown on the back, and from white to cream on their chest and stomach. A red squirrel will moult twice a year - with fur being replaced in spring and autumn - essential for keeping them cool or warm with the seasonal change. As a result, their coats will look much thinner in summer than they do in the winter. Also, during the summer season, for most reds, their distinctive pointy ear tufts thin out and are almost completely gone! So, if you’ve spotted a red squirrel in recent weeks, the chances are their easy-to-identify tufts will not be there – however never fear, they will return in the autumn!
Summer Delicacies
Red squirrels are omnivores and have surprisingly varied eating habits! Whilst the autumn tree harvests of nuts and seeds make up most of their diet later in the year, and shoots, tree flowers and buds supplement this in the spring, in the summer months – due to the lack of availability of these normally favourite foods – red squirrels may have to ‘branch out’ and try other delicacies! Tree bark, occasional songbird eggs, and insects ar ...