Leeds Central Wildlife

Tasa · Post by **Tasa** » Thu 21 Jun, 2012 9:32 pm

This thread evolved into "not quite Leeds Central" Wildlife, so I thought I'd add my contribution here.I've just seen a young (i.e. small) red squirrel from my window (in Headingley). I'm amazed, as I haven't seen a red squirrel in this country before, although I have seen them in other countries. I watched it through binoculars so I'm sure of what I've seen.Grey squirrels are very prevalent in my area and I thought the red ones had been eradicated by the grey ones in most areas of the UK. Has anyone else seen red squirrels in Leeds?

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Thu 21 Jun, 2012 9:44 pm

Cheers Tasa, I'd forgotten about this thread.No, I can't recall seeing a red squirrel in Leeds since about 1976 when Tufty visited my primary school...

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Thu 21 Jun, 2012 9:54 pm

Are you sure? Greys can be ginger. Genuine reds (which can somethines be a bit grey) have unmissable tufts on their ears. Few months back I saw a pheasant in Headingley.

book · Post by **book** » Thu 21 Jun, 2012 9:54 pm

I'm amazed at this news. I thought they were only in Northumberland and up to Scotland.

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Thu 21 Jun, 2012 9:56 pm

Some in the Dales near Hawes and the somewhere in the Lake District.

Tasa · Post by **Tasa** » Thu 21 Jun, 2012 10:02 pm

Cardiarms wrote: Are you sure? Greys can be ginger. Genuine reds (which can somethines be a bit grey) have unmissable tufts on their ears. Few months back I saw a pheasant in Headingley. Ah - I did wonder whether it was some kind of genetic variation on a grey squirrel but it was so red (and I later saw an adult squirrel of the same colour after I posted) that I assumed it was a "true" red squirrel. I've been looking out at the same view for 16 years and have never seen this variation.The next time I see them I'll look out for tufts on the ears.Thanks Cardi

simong · Post by **simong** » Thu 21 Jun, 2012 11:15 pm

We've got foxes and a sparrowhawk here behind Green Flag. The sparrowhawk nests in the field beside Priesthorpe School and can be seen hovering for prey from the ring road. Last summer there was an accident on the ring road which disturbed it and it spent a few days hanging around the field where we walk the dog.We saw foxes on the same field a month or so ago and they seem to be roaming quite far, possibly even into our garden. There was a terrifying scream in the garden last night and our cat tripped rather quickly into the house, having seemingly disturbed them.We also have hedgehogs, which confuse our dog greatly, as they're clearly animals to be investigated but investigating them hurts, so she just barks at them.

buffaloskinner · Post by **buffaloskinner** » Fri 22 Jun, 2012 12:32 am

We have foxes, squirrels and deer in and around Middleton on a regular basis. Since the new fence went up I havent had any Hedgehogs tho.I also once had a Sparrowhawk in the back garden helping itself to a MacStarling meal.I have quite a large bird table which attracts sparrows, starlings, blackbirds, wrens, wagtails (also nested in garden for 3 years), woodpeckers, bluetits, collared doves and some others I an unable to identify.Isnt wildlife great?

somme1916 · Post by **somme1916** » Fri 22 Jun, 2012 8:15 am

Cardiarms wrote: Are you sure? Greys can be ginger. Genuine reds (which can somethines be a bit grey) have unmissable tufts on their ears. Few months back I saw a pheasant in Headingley. So did I but it were hanging upside down in Leeds market.Seriously,have spotted a true red squirrel in Roundhay about 3 years ago.....a wonderful sight to behold.

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Fri 22 Jun, 2012 9:55 am

Sad to say that we only have grey (non-native) in this area, and yes they do come in ginger.Picture below shows (L to R) Red Squirrel, native; Grey import; Black - mutation of grey