More Grey Squirrels at Centre Parcs, Elveden Forrest

Hello Fellows, nice once more to have something to post. Despite my CFS/ME, I made it to Center Parcs with the help of my family.

I had little energy, so we spent much time in the lodge watching the wildlife searching for food. They were accustomed to people and happy to venture into the lodge.

_{Photographer: @richardslater, F-Stop: f/5.6, Focal Length: 50mm, Exposure: 2/5 sec, ISO: 100, Camera: Sony A6600, Lens: Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM, Taken: Tuesday, 19 December 2023 11:08}

The squirrels were by far the boldest and fastest; they seemed interested in the lens, likely because they could see their reflection in the UV filter.

_{Photographer: @richardslater, F-Stop: f/5.6, Focal Length: 50mm, Exposure: 1/6 sec, ISO: 100, Camera: Sony A6600, Lens: Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM, Taken: Tuesday, 19 December 2023 10:59}

We found some peanuts at the ParcMarket, and washed them off so we had something to feed them that wasn't too high in sodium.

_{Photographer: @richardslater, F-Stop: f/2.8, Focal Length: 50mm, Exposure: 1/60 sec, ISO: 200, Camera: Sony A6600, Lens: Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM, Taken: Wednesday, 20 December 2023 09:54}

They often visited in groups, with one particular individual chasing off the rest of them in competition for the food. This individual squirrel was a bit of a bully, but we noticed that once he (or she) had a few nuts, they ran off into the woods, probably to hide them.

_{Photographer: @richardslater, F-Stop: f/2.8, Focal Length: 50mm, Exposure: 1/80 sec, ISO: 200, Camera: Sony A6600, Lens: Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM, Taken: Wednesday, 20 December 2023 09:58}

We tried to space out the peanuts, as while we wanted to enjoy seeing them, we didn't want to make it too easy on them.

_{Photographer: @richardslater, F-Stop: f/2.8, Focal Length: 50mm, Exposure: 1/100 sec, ISO: 200, Camera: Sony A6600, Lens: Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM, Taken: Wednesday, 20 December 2023 09:59}

Grey Squirrels are considered an invasive species in the UK, having originally been brought in from North America.

_{Photographer: @richardslater, F-Stop: f/2.8, Focal Length: 50mm, Exposure: 1/100 sec, ISO: 200, Camera: Sony A6600, Lens: Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM, Taken: Wednesday, 20 December 2023 10:12}

Unfortunately, they also brought disease and competition, resulting in Native Red squirrel populations being eliminated in many parts of the UK.

_{Photographer: @richardslater, F-Stop: f/2.8, Focal Length: 50mm, Exposure: 1/60 sec, ISO: 200, Camera: Sony A6600, Lens: Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM, Taken: Wednesday, 20 December 2023 10:12}

Due to the invasive nature of the grey squirrel, it's illegal to release a grey squirrel under the Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019 and Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This may need to change over time if Red Squirrels become extinct in the UK and Ireland.

_{Photographer: @richardslater, F-Stop: f/2.8, Focal Length: 50mm, Exposure: 1/200 sec, ISO: 200, Camera: Sony A6600, Lens: Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM, Taken: Wednesday, 20 December 2023 10:12}

For now, however, most of the UK will not see Red Squirrels unless you can visit one of a dozen areas where Red Squirrels still thrive.

Experts have observed signs of recovery in Scotland and Ireland, where Pine Marten populations have grown; the Pine Marten predates on Grey and Red's, have then taken their place in the ecosystem.

I hope you enjoy the photos.