License: CC0
Original Resolution: 3200 × 3200 pixels (10.2 MP)
EXIF Details: Date: Taken on 12 February 2024, 14:56
Description:
The Grey Squirrels were doing an “eat one – bury one” with the Monkey Nuts today.
Grosvenor Park, Chester, Cheshire West & Chester, North West England. 12/02/2024
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The park, being situated as it is adjacent to the river and to open countryside, abounds with wildlife.
There are hundreds of grey squirrels (Sciurus Carolinensis) living in the park. They are extremely tame and will happily run up to take nuts from your fingers. Local folklore says that Grosvenor Park was the first place in Britain where they were introduced from the USA. This is incorrect as grey squirrels were first recorded appearing in nearby Denbighshire, across the Welsh border, in the 1820s. Systematic introduction began when a Thomas Unett Brocklehurst liberated a pair from Henbury Park, Cheshire, in 1876. They seem to have been brought to Chester soon after.
The invasive grey squirrel is rapidly driving the UK’s native Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) population to extinction, although the loss of habitat has also played a role.
The feral pigeon population in the park has grown considerably over the years. Together, the grey squirrels and pigeons account for a lot of damage to the annual bedding schemes through continual scavenging for food, so don’t be too alarmed if you see irate park staff shouting and frantically waving their arms!
Many other species of birds can be seen, some of which may nest in the park. These include mallards and waterhens on the pond, as well as robins, songthrushes and blackbirds. Watch out for the more unusual species, such as the spotted flycatcher, a summer migrant, and the tree creeper, a shy furtive bird which may be seen walking up tree trunks in search of insects.