Grey Squirrel caught in the act

[The Woodman]

The so called mammal expert may have been right. Dormice do feed at the extremities of branches but not sycamore - unless anyone has seen them on this tree species. The dormouse favours hazel and can sometimes be seen feeding at the very ends of the slender branches with amazing balance and dexterity.

Branch end growth of sycamore is relatively strong and will bear the weight of a grey squirrel. The tree can cope with bud grazing but later in the spring squirrels can ringbark sycamore and beech young growth stems resulting in dead crowns and branches. These are visible in hedgerows in late spring due to the death of the top of the tree and the giveaway unseasonal dead leaves.

Stems and branches not completely ring barked may survive but they often snap off in high winds due to a weak point created by lack of supporting living wood growth.

[Fauna]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

The dormouse favours hazel and can sometimes be seen feeding at the very ends of the slender branches with amazing balance and dexterity.

I think the "Expert" is wrong, Grey Squirrels are also able to reach the ends of very slender branches. They are able to strip out valuable food sources well before Dormouse has a chance to exploit them.

Dormice are being increasingly found in atypical habitats like Conifer woods and Furze. Are they finding these less presure areas away from the Grey's???


Regards Chris.