Autumn and Winter in Finland 2014 - 2015

[Felis silvestris]

Yes, it's fall. Today the trees were still beautiful yellow, red and orange.. One frosty night and some wind and rain, and the color symphony is over.

It's alright to make the Fall-Winter thread now.. This summer is in the past!

And here we go again, seasons change and we hope for a busy autumn and winter at the feeders on Squirrel Hill!

[Olga]

9th October:

Hello, welcome to follow the life of red squirrels on Squirrel Hill in Southern Finland.
Some of them we already know, but there are some new guests. Perhaps we have seen them as pups in the summer. But now that they have grown they are not very easy recognize.

This male resembles Charley, but it is smaller, and younger. The fur is also somewhat darker than Charley's gold brown fur.

Drop (?)





Who is he?? Oscar or Spock?
He is not eating the coconut fat ball for the firs time..

[Olga]

Today there were two squirrels to see..

(the video is not ready yet)

[Olga]

10th October:

[macdoum]

Wonderful Olga when some new squirrels come,or perhaps some old friends. Its always great news to see they have survived another season.... in great part thanks to your extra food. I am sure the appreciate you so much.

[Olga]

Two videos from yesterday:

[Manu]

Hello again Olga and all friends of Squirrel Hill .
Seasons changed but the squirrels are still on your feeder .

[Olga]

Hello Manu They were hiding for several weeks, but it didn't matter that much, be cause I was without PC almost the same time!

Four small videos of Mr Spock today:






Mr Spock almost hiding behind the fat ball


Mr Spock sitting on the fat ball

[Olga]

Here is seen everything you need to make coconut-peanut-sunflower-seed cakes for squirrels and birds!
100gr melted coconut butter is enough for 800-900gr nuts and seed.

[Olga]

Two more videos from afternoon today:

[Bea]

Thank you for pics, videos and recipe of fatballs, Olga

I think I´ll try it this winter, too - but will fill it in small fictile flowerpots and hanging them in the trees ... here in my garden are no squirrels, but lot of songbirds are visiting my winter feeding place. And I will add raisins, too.

[Olga]

You are welcome, Bea!

For birds I'll get also other kind of fat balls, planned especially for small winter birds:


I just imagine that 'animal' fat (swine and cow) is needed when the weather turns very cold. Of course squirrels will find these fat balls too. It's all right. Buying these fat balls I'll get this nylon net. It's usefull to put the home made fat balls hanging from a hook.

[Olga]

I'll add some ten screen shots from yesterday's videos.
It's Mr Spock..or is it?? Anyway the next pictures are from the first three videos from yesterday:

[Olga]

From yesterday's video:

11th Oct a slim male (probably) squirrel with no tassels yet

[Olga]

From the last video of the 11th October:

I believed this one is MrSpock too, but.. (the question will be solved!! later on)

[Olga]

I'm sure that Paula is still there. She might be the oldest of the familiar squirrels on the hill, a grand grand mother!

I will choose pictures and edit the videos I have taken.. She keeps her right paw exactly like earlier. She can use it, but she likes to hang it at whiles in a certain way... The paw was injured for about three years ago - she has managed well, even though there is 'something'.

It is Paula! She is not afraid of me, she stares straight to the window glass and she does not escape if I move the camera.



The right front paw does not bother her, she is able to climb and jump very well!

[Olga]

Paula the gran grand mother:

[Olga]

She left, and Castano appeared at the place:

[Olga]

In fifteen minutes Paula was back again:

[Olga]

A cute thief:

I


II


III



(there down on the video III is a 'wrong' picture on the videos first second'.. I can't get how it goes that way?? I have chosen an other screen capture but nothing happened..later on: well the change just took some time )

The cute thief used all his/her strength to get the nut ball out of the bag.


edit: BTW, I decided not to use iron wire. It may hurt squirrels or birds how carefully I ever bend the sharp ends in a way to prevent the wire ends to stick.. An ordinary rope is useful, and if there is a hook on the branch, not even rope is needed.