Black is the new Grey!

jsentinella · #1 (**permalink**) 16-05-2010, 09:48 AM

Hi
On my way out for the day yesterday I saw 2 black squirrels on the grass verge as I approached Kensworth village, at 7.15 am. On the return journey on the Luton road from Markyate (1 mile from Kensworth) I saw a black rabbit, at 6.10pm. Where are all the greys??
John

mrbright · #2 (**permalink**) 16-05-2010, 11:03 AM

hi these black so called super squirrels are now seriously threatening both red and grey squirrels alike, they are fiercer , fitter and faster than the rest, it has been suggested that these originated from a single american black squirrel released over 130 years ago by a landowner from bedfordshire , and your location seems to somewhat back up this theory, although others have suggested it is a form of genetic mutation, i dont know how widespread they are at present, but i have not spotted any around the watford area only a few miles down the road as for black rabbits, i did spot a couple two weeks ago just the other side of luton on the bucks border, and ive never spotted two together before, maybe a new super rabbit?

jsentinella · #3 (**permalink**) 16-05-2010, 04:19 PM

Hi
Thats interesting what you say about the squirrels. One big estate near Kensworth, about 2-3 miles away,is Luton Hoo which is a posibility perhaps.The other might be the Woburn Abbey estate?
Cheers
John

Pete Collins · #4 (**permalink**) 16-05-2010, 08:21 PM

Did the squirrels look like this?

The photo was taken in my parents' garden in Kensworth a couple of years ago. According to my parents, the black squirrels have been around the village for over 50 years now.

There are more photos of this chap on this thread: Black Squirrel

welsh.lensman · #5 (**permalink**) 20-05-2010, 04:29 PM

Hi John and welcome to WAB, enjoy.

animartco · #6 (**permalink**) 20-05-2010, 07:42 PM

Re Black rabbits. I'm afraid I have to plead guilty. Had a pet that escaped. before you throw the book at me I was only ten! I am surprised that there is not more genetic variation in wild rabbits from escapees, though I suppose it's because tame rabbits are usually too docile to survive.

jsentinella · #7 (**permalink**) 21-05-2010, 05:14 AM

I'll let you off - its a big hop for a rabbit from Kent to Bedfordshire!
John

jsentinella · #8 (**permalink**) 21-05-2010, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by welsh.lensman

Hi John and welcome to WAB, enjoy.

Appreciate that! My wife has a cousin in Swansea up Dunvant way.

Cheers

John

poacher113 · #9 (**permalink**) 21-05-2010, 03:20 PM

hi all,(northumberland)forgive me if i sound a bit dumb,but i heard that the black squirels originate from russia,which are a very viscous squirel and heard rumours of cats being attacked by them,and while im on about squirels,where i live there have been rookeries for as long as i can remember....the last time i visited this rookery there was not one nest in the wood.....are the grey squirels to blame for the decline of birdlife also?

thunder · #10 (**permalink**) 21-05-2010, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poacher113

hi all,(northumberland)forgive me if i sound a bit dumb,but i heard that the black squirels originate from russia,which are a very viscous squirel and heard rumours of cats being attacked by them,and while im on about squirels,where i live there have been rookeries for as long as i can remember....the last time i visited this rookery there was not one nest in the wood.....are the grey squirels to blame for the decline of birdlife also?

The black coloured Grey Squirrels certainly didn't come from Russia - the species doesn't occur there. The black form was apparently introduced to Woburn, amongst the normal coloured ones. They are quite widespread in the north of their range in the US. There has been some suggestion that they might be able to out compete the grey ones, but I don't think there is much to support this idea, as yet.

henrya