Two Nests in One – Straw Thief!
Azalea at Red Wing Golf Course in Va Beach
January 12, 2012Camellia in Great Neck Jan 15
January 15, 2012The eastern gray squirrel is a very common small mammal (rodent) in the mid-Atlantc region. They are tree squirrels (rather than ground squirrels). They usually make their nests in holes in trees or leaf nest at least 25 feet above the ground. They can have 2 litters of 3 to 5 that are born blind after a 44 day gestation period and take 2 months to wean. Occasionally they will take advantage of other places to build their nests. One pair has done that at Norfolk Botanical Garden. They have built their nest in the underside of the current bald eagle nest. Their nest has two entrances – lower left and lower right. Eastern gray squirrels mate in this region in Jan-Feb and June-July. From The Encyclopedia of Mammals by David MacDonald – In tree squirrels and chipmunks, receptive females attract males using chemical signals and vocalizations, then lead the males on long, spectacular mating chases that may last from 4 to 10 hours. I have been seeing that activity in my yard for the past couple weeks.
Today about 4pm I watched as a squirrel emerged from the left underside of the current NBG bald eagle nest several times, and climbed into the nest pocket above. Why? What was it doing? It was stealing pine straw from the bald eagle nest and taking it into its nest in the underside of THEIR – the eagles and squirrels – nest in preparation for breeding season. It is a whole lot closer that going all the way to the ground and back up the tree. Smart squirrel!! Cooperative nesting.
1 – Emerging from its left nest entrance 2 – Picking up pine straw 3 – Holding in its mouth 4 – Scampering back to its nest
26 Comments
OMG how cute is that. Wonder if Mom and Dad will object to the occupants once the eggs arrive.
Wonderful photos captured Mr. Lukei I am so grateful that we get a “birds eye view” of things.. or in this case a squirrels! I was wondering though wouldn’t the scent of the pair be heavy around the nest area, and wouldn’t that keep small creatures such as squirrels from entering it for fear of being caught up as a meal?
We get two for one this year. Hopefully we will have chicks anyway.
Isn’t that living dangerously for the squirrels and their babies?
Reese, I have a question about eagle mating. Do female eagles give off any kind of scent to signal the male that she is fertile.
Response – Eagles and most birds have a very poor sense of smell. Hormonal changes result in behavioral changes that the eagles can detect.
I suspect that the squirrel and it’s family will be history if it stays.
Response – This is the squirrels third year living here and have not been caught yet!
What is the danger of the squirrels being able to reach the eagles’ eggs above?
Response – They eat seeds and nuts. No threat to the eggs.
Oh my, I was not looking forward to the Eagle Pair discovering the interlopers – So your response to Audret surprised me. How funny. I hope the situation stays funny for all.
This is amazing and oh so cute! Reese, in the past have the squirrels ever tried to get in the nest while the eaglets or adult eagles were there? Or is this the first time they’ve built their nest under a active eagles nest?
Response – Squirrels have lived there for three years and the eagles have not been fast enough to catch them yet.
Aren’t the squirrels a potential threat to the eggs and chicks?
Response – Squirrels eat seeds and nuts. No threat to the eggs or chicks.
Thank you for posting this Reese. Needed a good laugh tonight and this really provided it! Is it the male or the female squirrel who builds the nest? And do squirrels return to the same location each breeding season as eagles do? This squirrel is really gutsy, or is it just nuts? Pardon the pun!
Response – That is more than I know about squirrels.
That is just hysterical. Thank you Mr Lukei for sharing these special moments with us.
2 different kind of animal sharing the same nest, very cute!
Good to see that they become friends.
Great shots-thanks Mr. Lukei. Question: Would the squirrels ever come up in the nest once the eaglets hatch? Would the eaglets notice them?
Response – The squirrels are clever enough to stay out of the nest when the eagles are present.
I saw a squirrel in the OC nest. I was wondering what he was doing, he kept sticking his head in the sticks like he wanted to make a tunnel guess he was looking for a home.
I have seen small birds build a nest under the nest of an osprey in a similar manner to the squirrels. I can’t figure out if they are smart or just lazy!! Hope they can all get along.
How amazing to see these photos. I had no idea that they co-exist in nature, having seen squirrels become eagle meals before. So excited for the cams to go live, I’m so thrilled at how clear and sharp your images are. Maybe we can see a squirrel visit live!
Thanks for the pictures. I wonder why we did not see the squirrels, when Mom and Dad Norfolk had their bobbleheads last year. OR were the squirrels too fast to be caught on camera.
Response – We did show the squirrels last year and the year before.
Reese, You are so kind to share this fun and interesting information with us. Thank you! Nature just astounds at every turn, doesn’t it? Maybe the new cameras (thank you again, Mr. McDonald!) will allow us more squirrel viewing along with the much anticipated bald eagle saga?
Glad our squirrels have returned to this nest…enterprising little rats, aren’t they!? Have nesting pairs in my yard and have observed them lining their nests with plumes from the pampas grass. Soft and warm for first nest of year!
Great pics, Reese. So looking forward to live cam SOON!
Smart squirrels! Living inside that big eagle nest probably keeps them from getting rained and snowed on.
A master of camouflage!
I love these pictures. I also love squirrels and feed them regularly in my yard. Their antics are so amusing. I hope these squirrels will continue to remain safe! Thanks for posting. I hope we can see more pics of them along with our eagle family!
Great catch Mr. Lukei! Question, Have both the male and female been seen at the nest since the mating on the 9th? Thanks for your response.
Response – Yes, both adults were at the nest this morning briefly.
I would suggest to the smarty-pants squirrels that they watch out…they become dinner for the new eagle chicks when they hatch! LOL 🙂 Thanks for the marvelous pictures and lessons of life.
Great article I’d like thank you greetings!
There is also a squirrel under the nest at the Historic Jamestowne National Park.