Of all the wildlife that calls MAGC home, perhaps none is so easy to spot as our community of squirrels. Our acrobatic residents include both the native Western Gray squirrel and Eastern Grays as well; Eastern Grays can actually range in color from sandy brown to black. While we have yet to take a census of our local population, the squirrels here are clearly thriving, with an abundance of both food and shelter among the trees on the MAGC grounds. Squirrels are rodents, and their front teeth continue to grow throughout their lives, ideal for gnawing through the tough acorns that our oaks contribute to their food supply. With a habit of burying food to keep in reserve, squirrels also help propagate new trees—forgotten acorn stashes can become mighty oaks. If you look carefully in the tree canopy, you might be able to see a squirrel nest, called a drey, although it could easily pass as an untidy pile of leaves and twigs. If you’re doing any tree trimming around your own home, take care not to dislodge these nests, particularly in the spring when baby squirrels are born.
