The Day of the Squirrel
From the perspective of Gut Aiderbichl
January 21st is the International Day of the Squirrel. The initiative to establish this special day came from an American gamekeeper. Why is the day of the squirrel in January? It is because squirrels bury their stores for the winter months in the fall. When a lot of snow falls and the surface freezes, it is difficult to get the supplies. So it is often important for people to "help" squirrels forage by placing hazelnuts, walnuts, spruce seeds, pinecones, sunflower seeds, berries, mushrooms, local fruits such as apples, and also carrots and cucumbers in specially made feeders for them to eat. Helping them forage in the winter is important for their survival. Squirrels have their babies in January, in the middle of winter. Therefore, it is even more important that the animals are supported.
People of many cultures dressed themselves with the fur of squirrels. Archaeological finds from the Neolithic period also show that squirrels were even part of the human diet.
In recent years, there has been increasing talk that black squirrels, for example, are driving out the native brown or red squirrels, and that they are also more aggressive and stronger than the native squirrels. In fact, native squirrels belong to the Eurasian squirrel breed. The colour variations range from red to red-brown, red-grey, brown-grey to black. The European squirrels can therefore have the most diverse coat colours. One thing is always the same: the belly has white fur.
The grey squirrel was "brought in" from America and spread mainly in England, Ireland and Italy. These particular grey squirrels are more adaptable during the winter months, bigger, stronger and have more babies than the native squirrels.
Release station at Gut Aiderbichl
Since 2021, there has been a reintroduction station at Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf. The "Squirrel Aid Salzburg" and Gut Aiderbichl have entered into a cooperation for the benefit of rodents in need. Due to various environmental damage (deforestation, monocultures...) more and more squirrels are in need. The aim is to rescue orphaned, injured or simply distressed squirrels, nurse them back to health and then release them back into the wild. Baby squirrels and injured adult animals are taken in by the "Squirrel Aid Salzburg", nursed and, after a stay of about 8 weeks with Mrs. Carmen Haslinger, brought to the reintroduction station at Gut Aiderbichl in Henndorf. Squirrels are funny and nimble fellows who enrich the forest around Gut Aiderbichl with their rediscovered zest for life and health.
I look forward to the next guided tour with you!
Sincerely, your Gisela