5 minute read
The Great Outdoors – Red Squirrels
Red Squirrels at Aviemore, Scotland
WILDLIFE IN THE UK – GREG COYNE, WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER
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I have just returned from a week’s stay in Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands. The main reason for my visit was to photograph diving ospreys, but I like to get a few hours in a red squirrel hide while I’m there, and there is no better hide in the UK than that operated by Neil McIntyre. From the car park it’s a half mile trek, alongside a beautiful lake, into the forest to reach Neil’s hide. It’s almost like walking into a magical world and, thankfully with temperatures into the 30s during my visit, the midges were low in numbers so there was no need for protective gear. Having said that, carrying the camera bags meant a slow and measured walk in the hot weather up to the hide.
The hide itself is superb for squirrel photography with openings at the front and both sides enabling portrait shots from the front and left and a squirrel jumping area to the right of the hide. The perches where the squirrels feed are set up to gain the best of the light coming through the trees. With ferns and flowers, it’s a stunning area in which to see these beautiful and fun squirrels.
The squirrels know when it’s time to feed as they are now very used to Neil’s guests who frequent the hide. We placed hazelnuts and peanuts strategically on the forest perches and didn’t have long to wait before the first squirrels started to arrive. The secret is to hide the nuts in various nooks and crannies on the logs, perches and in holes in the trees. That way you can see how intelligent they are and how quickly and nimbly they jump and run across the forest floor and the perches.
Scotland has red squirrels across most of the country, but the highland squirrels are a bit special – they seem to have bushier tails and hang on to the tufts on their ears for longer. We are now seeing the red squirrel moving south into Northern England and, every year when I am down in Dorset, I like to see the red squirrels on Browning Island – probably our nearest red squirrel haven to Bedfordshire.
To me, red squirrels are more photogenic that the grey squirrels that we see over most of England, but grey squirrels can still be fun for photographers in our gardens. If you do have a garden that grey squirrels frequent, why not try setting up your own jump for them to use? It’s great to watch them – unless you are my pal Mick, who backs onto woodland in Bromham, and the squirrels are a pain on his bird feeders.
My plan is to return to Scotland when there is some snow early next year. Red squirrels in a snowy environment would make fantastic photography, although driving on the snowy roads may be a bit of a challenge too far. If I get there, I will share some of the images on these pages in a future edition.
If you would like to see more of my images, simply log on to my Facebook Page which is Greg Coyne Photography, where you will also find video clips.
Recycle Recap
Six common errors we make when we attempt to recycle.
ONE - Lift the lid
Reapplying plastic lids can leave liquid inside, which means it weighs more and subsequently confuses the sorting machine. It can also trap air, which can force bottle bales apart. Collapse the bottle and reapply the lid, and you should be okay.
TWO - A caffeine inconvenience
Our ambivalence to recycling coffee cups has become one of the major fl aws in recycling fl aws in recycling action, with eco groups keen to add dedicated cup deposit points in coffee shop. Better still, bring your own reusable vessels into cafes.
THREE - Bag it up
Plastic bags will instantly be rejected at the recycling plant, and will end up in landfi ll. Instead, tip your recycling into the main bin, then gather your plastic bags together and leave in a separate pile. Take them to a local plastic bag recycling point, or even hand them back in at the supermarket.
FOUR - An appetite for… compost?
Recycling doesn’t just stop at the disposal of manmade materials. For leftover food items such as egg shells, peel from fruit and vegetables, and even unwanted nuts and pips, adding these to compost.
FIVE - Excellent textiles
Similarly, textiles banks can make real use of unwanted clothing, meaning your tatty old jumper can come back to life as anything from furniture padding to loudspeaker cones!
SIX - Green is clean
And remember, no matter what you’re recycling, unless it’s washed clean, it’s not going to make the cut.
local plastic bag recycling point, or even hand them back in at the supermarket.
FOUR - An appetite for… compost?
Recycling doesn’t just stop at the disposal of manmade materials. For leftover food items such as egg shells, peel from fruit and vegetables, and even unwanted nuts and pips, adding these to compost.
Bromham Painting QP.pdf 1 01/05/2019 12:08
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