grey squirrels storing nuts

[moocher]

can anyone tell me when do greys start storing nuts keenly. as a 5 miletrip to supermarket ,has shown 3 on the verges under hazel trees digging/burying is this normal at this time of year or a sign of a rough winter ahead.thanks moocher.

 

[spamel]

I've been seeing little scrapes in the ground for a few weeks now. I can only assume that it is squirrel activity. Not sure when they are supposed to start though.

 

[gregorach]

I would expect it depends on when the nuts start ripening...

Which brings me to a question that's been at the back of my mind for ages: is there any way of getting at those hazelnuts before the squirrels get 'em? You watch them ripen, and then they're gone...

 

[dave k]

I would expect it depends on when the nuts start ripening...

Which brings me to a question that's been at the back of my mind for ages: is there any way of getting at those hazelnuts before the squirrels get 'em? You watch them ripen, and then they're gone...

`nut fed squirrel`??

 

[moocher]

dont know how you could do it as the squirrels will eat nuts in the green or unripe state,so they have a head start on us,many times seen them eating conkers that are white.

 

[gregorach]

I kinda figured that was the answer... I seem to recall that in Patrick Whitefield's "Earth Care Manual", when he discusses the possibility of growing hazel for a nut crop, simply says "if grey squirrels are in the area, they will take all the nuts." No ifs, buts, or maybes, and not "some" or "most".

 

[Zammo]

I've noticed the Squirrels round my way have been collecting green nuts for the passed week (two at a time), I don't know if they are burying or eating them though.

 

[commandocal]

They seem to be eating the green nuts as the lil buggers drop them on me as i walk past them and they all have teeth marks in and never fully eaten, wasters!