Lockerbie Squirrel

We picked Kanyl up at 9:30 and set off taking him on a mystery tour.  We headed up the M6 but contiunued past our usual garden centre stop.  Eventually we turned off at Lockerbie and found our way to a car park suitable for the Eskrigg Nature reserve.

The weather was being kind and we had an enjoyable stroll through the woods until we spotted the first hide.  This hide over looked a small loch/pond and was surounded by bird feeders.  When we entered it was unlike any hide I had ever been in.  Rubber carpeted floorlarge glazed opening viweing points, books and even a couple of arm chairs.  We spent a good while watching birds at the feeders and trying to photograph them in  the birches before they arrived on the feeders.

Jim (I assume the warden) wandered in in and during our conversation explained the squirrels, which were our real reason for visit were 40 yards down the path at another hide.  We made our way therea little doubtfully.  As far as I am concerened a hide is for going into and being quiet.   people were sat outside talking one in camouflage clothing with a very large expensive lens.

Before we reached them we spotted a squirrel sitting on a branch watching humans.  After much camera clicking on our part it decided to come down the tree, no more than 6 feet (2m) from us.  I noticed that it wasn't showing the classic ear tufts said to be diagnostic of Reds.  The ear tufts are moulted at the end of summer and grow again in autumn reaching their maximum size in the winter months.