Red Squirrel kit ( Sciurus vulgaris )

A red letter day.  A few years ago we would be able to sit in the garden and get photos of the squirrels they were daily visitors.  Then they disappeared and we have only had a bout one visit (caught on trail camera) since.  This morning I drew the curtains and saw a movement among the Flag Irises.  Worried that we might have a rat I kept watching suddenly this little chap appeared only to pop back out of sight.

Fortunately it reappeared and climbed up on to the bird table.  It considered the jump to the nut feeders then climbed onto the roof of the table.  From there it took a leap and easily reached the feeders.  Cameras were clicking in stereo!

After the mornings excitement we had a quiet afternoon at "Melki" (Larch cottage nurseries melkinthorpe) with Kanyl.  Both Clickychick and I had decided that no flower could beat a Red Squirrel blip so didn't take our cameras.  It was the first time in 16 years that CC had visited a garden centre without a camera.  Being a late starter it was only 11 years for me.