Meet Doug, my local Douglas Squirrel, who is native to the Pacific Northwest. Tamiasciurus douglasii’s conservation status is “least concern,” however Douglas Squirrels (Dougs) populations have declined over the past decades because of shrinking mixed-conifer forest habitat, and competition from invasive non native and much larger Eastern Grey and Eastern Fox Squirrels.
The Daily Bucket is a regular feature of the Backyard Science group. Here we—and you--note any observations we have about the world around us. Insects, weather, meteorites, climate, birds and/or flowers are all worthy additions to the Bucket. Please let us know what is going on around you in a comment. Include, as close as is comfortable for you, where you are located. Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the glorious cycles of life that are unwinding around us.
Dougs vehemently defend a territory roughly 425 feet in diameter. In theory Doug’s territory takes up the back yards of me and three of my neighbors.
I first Bucketed about Doug in August, 2013: www.dailykos.com/…
I enlisted Doug as an ally against the invasive Greys and Fox Squirrels, who were destroying my bird feeders in record times, often queueing up 4 deep for a shot. Although Dougs are smaller, they are fearless, and I often see Doug chasing larger squirrels frantically skittering along the fence tops and across the street.
While Doug does harass the invasive squirrels, however there are still plenty of them around. When the leaves fall, I can see several invasive squirrel nests in the adjacent yards, high in the leafless hardwoods. I also badger the invasive squirrels by throwing an occasional, ineffective handful ¾ minus gravel at them.
When I go outside and hear Doug’s scolding,”pew, pew, pew,” cry, I whistle in return, and put out corn near where I see Doug.
Doug Squirrels mate in late winter/early spring and have litters of 4-6 pups. Few survive. They have multiple nests, and will winter in hollow logs or tree hollows during bitter winters. Fair-weather nests are jumbles of twigs and leaves in the crooks of branches. Life expectancy is 2.3 years.
I’ve never seen young Dougs, or more than one Doug, and I don’t know if Doug is male or female.
All the Doug Squirrel studies I consulted, described Dougs’ observed behavior in old growth and mature mixed-conifer forests. I am watching for ways the Dougs have adapted to the tribulations of suburban life.
I see Doug most often in a large sugar maple, rather than the conifers that gave Dougs their moniker. My two critter-loving neighbors (and I) all put out copious piles of birdseed and suet, which provide a concentrated prime food source.
There is a dense cedar next to that maple where Doug often disappears, that may be a secondary hideout and nesting spot.
Doug’s territory includes many 50-year old trees that are 30-60 feet high; sugar maples, birches, redwoods, pines, Douglas firs, true firs, and spruces. Many fruit trees, berries, and gardens are also nearby.
Here’s a look at part of Doug’s territory.
While these trees provide ample cones, my Doug’s principal target for food hoarding seems to be peanuts from nearby bird feeders. I’ve found over 40 peanuts buried in sand I was keeping in a bucket for a couple of weeks.
In the wild, Dougs hoard seed cones, preparing for tough times, and bury them by the bushel in “middens” at the base of trees. In one study, a Doug gathered and stashed over 200 cones in about 20 minutes.
I’ve never found a cone midden in my neighborhood, but after all, no suburban homeowner would tolerate a squirrel-generated-yard-tall pile of cones and debris; the landscaping workers would rake and mow and leaf-blow it away.
I suspect that suburban Dougs have had to rechannel their cone-gathering instincts into other food gathering schemes.
A University of Michigan study claimed that Dougs do not eat from the ground because that inhibits awareness of their surroundings. animaldiversity.org/… However, don’t tell Doug that. When you can’t keep a midden going, what can you do?
Sadly, given a life expectancy of 2.3 years, there’s only half a chance that the Doug I whistle to these days is the same Doug about which I Bucketed 29 months ago.
I’ve read about how to build a Doug Squirrel house; it will be essentially a large birdhouse with a 2-inch-wide hole. I’m going to make one and put it outside. I will also find a hollowed log and stash it under the Rhododendron bushes, because Dougs also winter-nest in logs or even burrows. Time to me to close up the typewriter, because it’s your turn.
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Now It's Your Turn
What have you noted happening in your area or travels? As usual post your observations as well as their general location in the comments.