Today I took a lovely drive to the country. I had company, not happy company, but company nonetheless.
This morning I moved the live trap to the back yard. I set it out in the sun where it would appear warm and inviting. In it I placed a fresh cracker, generously spread with delicious peanut butter.
It worked! I looked out the window a half an hour after I had placed the live trap on the grass, and there she was, sitting in a bewildered state, and not at all hungry.
I went into action immediately. I grabbed my heavy work gloves, closed up the windows, drew the curtains, exited the house, and unlocked the car. She wasn’t happy as I picked up the cage wearing my heavy gloves. She ran from one end of the cage to the other, distressed. I cooed to her, spoke reassuringly and confidently. The space prepared for the cage at the back of the car was open on all sides, and behind the seats so that the human presence would not be seen (me!), although I am sure she could sense that I was there. The cage rattled the whole time we travelled. She occasionally screeched at me, but lost interest when there was no response.
We took a drive into the country to a wood lot that was carefully chosen. There is a lot of land, some forest, some field, and no possibility of future development to disrupt the happy lives of squirrels.
After parking near the woodlot, I put on the gloves, removed the cage from the back of the car, and carried it to the edge of the forest area. Setting it down gently, with the trap door facing the trees, I lifted the trap door. Pause. Count to three. She shot out of the cage like a bullet! Within seconds she was out of sight and moving on into her new life. Hopefully it will be a life undisturbed by humans!
Now Attila can proceed with repairing the roof, this time with metal flashing, to prevent new tenants from moving in.
I feel so relieved to have relocated that squirrel!
Worldly Distractions
Weather
Little House in the City
11°C
Date: 5:00 PM EDT Monday 13 April 2015
Condition: Mostly Cloudy
Pressure: 101.1 kPa
Tendency: falling
Visibility: 24 km
Temperature: 10.8°C
Dewpoint: 3.4°C
Humidity: 60%
Wind: SSE 16 km/h
Country House
11°C
Date: 5:36 PM EDT Monday 13 April 2015
Condition: Heavy Rain
Pressure: 100.9 kPa
Visibility: 5 km
Temperature: 11.4°C
Dewpoint: 10.5°C
Humidity: 94%
Wind: SW 9 km/h
Quote
“Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace.”
Albert Schweitzer
1875 – 1965
Congratulations! Here’s hoping she’s the only one.
Yay! Good job, Maggie!
What a wonderful post. Yay for Maggie!
Um, new title? Maggie, the Squirrel Whisperer.
Maggie,
Terrific! I think it was so kind of you to relocate and so loving done. Kudos to you.
Maggie, The Squirrel Whisperer…Reens you are a stitch!
Did you reset the trap in the back yard? Because you do know that where there’s one squirrel, there are many many more… the whole family in fact!
Yup. It’s pretty certain there are more squirrels.
Nora: I knew that would tickle you. :))))
Wendy, Bex, there are more squirrels!
I saw a black squirrel in the tree in the front yard as I was returning from my walk this morning. Very busy he was too, eating the little buds right off the tree. He took no interest in our roof though, so I have my fingers crossed that he is housed elsewhere!
I haven’t heard any rummaging since the grey squirrel and I took our little drive, so thus far the roof remains vacant of tenants.
Thanks Teri! Squirrels can do a lot of damage when they put their minds to it, so I am glad she has moved on!
What a hoot Reenie, the squirrel whisperer! I think the squirrel would take issue with that though, she certainly wasn’t happy with me!
Thanks Nora, I know you have a big soft spot for wild animals. I was very glad to have been able to offer the squirrel an alternative, thank goodness the alternative was there!