Nature Walk: Nesting fox squirrels

The second week in January does not seem like nesting season unless you are a great-horned owl, a bald eagle or an eastern fox squirrel. This squirrel is making repeated trips to a small brush pile gathering dry leaves and taking them to its winter cavity in a silver maple tree. Forty five days after mating in late December or early January a new litter of 3 to 6 individuals will be born in mid-late February. Watch for curious juveniles venturing forth from their den sites in early to mid-May at about 3 months of age.