So, we all know that red squirrels love nuts but did you know that they enjoy a far more varied diet than that.
Like humans one squirrel’s favourite food is another squirrels least favourite but thanks to years of observation and study we know a lot about the various foods that they enjoy, both when foraging in the wild and when having a root around in the feeder in some kind human soul’s garden.
On the “in the wild” food front the following are amongst the big hits for red squirrels:
In the springtime they favour shoots and flowers, and come autumn and winter nuts, fruits, fungi and seeds from cones are the order of the day.
Red squirrels are opportunistic feeders and will also eat insects and take birds eggs if hungry.
Summer can be a tricky time for them with the juicy green shoots now gone and their favourite nuts, seeds, berries and fungi not yet ripe, this is where helpful humans can play an important role for our indigenous red squirrels, putting out both food and water for them. On the food front, here are some suggestions for your garden feeder:
- Hazelnuts
- Walnuts
- Almonds
- Chopped apples
- Pumpkin / Squash
- Carrots
- Some Sunflower Seeds (in moderation)
- Coconut
As we mentioned earlier, like humans different red squirrels prefer different foods and through trial and error you will soon learn the preferences of your own garden visitors.
If you would like to help us both to feed the squirrels at our private hide and continue with our work, whilst picking up the recipes for some tasty treats for yourself then you can click on the link below to secure a copy of our “Eat Like a Squirrel’ ebook:
www.iowredsquirreltrust.co.uk/product/eat-like-a-squirrel-recipe-book
Every recipe contains at least one ingredient that a red squirrel would love to eat in it’s natural form;
Or you could choose a virtual red squirrel adoption:
www.iowredsquirreltrust.co.uk/product-category/digital-adoption
Whatever you choose to do, keep on loving, protecting and supporting the UK’s red squirrels!