Birds and Beers Tonight!

Birds and Beers is tonight at Merlin's Rest at 6pm! We'll have a raffle for some prizes courtesy of Woodlink.

Birds and Beers is an informal gathering of birders of all abilities--if you're interested in birds, you're invited. You can meet other birders--maybe find a carpool buddy, ask about where to find target birds, share cool research projects you might be working on, ask a bird feeding question, share life lists, share some digiscoping tips, promote your blog--the sky is the limit. It's low key and it's fun.

And if you need another laugh today, Non Birding Bill sent me this link to Kung Fu Squirrels. Enjoy!

Gray Squirrel Massage Parlor

Last week I wondered why there were four squirrels out on my bathroom window ledge. Apparently, they are running some sort of Swedish massage parlor. These two squirrels were out using a nearby branch for a massage table and getting some deep tissue work on their backs and shoulders. The massaging squirrel would use its front paws and teeth to get all those hard to reach areas. Here's a video and as always, I recommend going to the YouTube page and click on "watch in quality" for the full effect:

Isn't that just too adorable for words? I especially liked how the squirrel doing the massaging was dangling its back foot as it tried to get some of those hard to reach areas. After a bit, the squirrels switched roles:

This didn't appear to be a mating thing, there was no copulation that followed, they were just socially grooming each other. I didn't know that they do that, but then again, I'm not the SquirrelChick.

Squirrelorgy In The Bathroom Window?

What the heck is going on with the squirrels on our bathroom window ledge?? We've had one squirrel trying to make a nest on the ledge and the wind and branches periodically knock it down. A month ago, I had two squirrels hanging out there. But on and off all summer, some squirrel has been hanging out there more often than not. Today, I stepped into the bathroom and could see one squirrel head and it looked like a second one was there too. I grabbed my camera and tried to sneak a photo--check it out, there are three.

One of the squirrels heard the camera and jumped away, only to reveal a FOURTH squirrel. The little dude on the right was busily grooming the squirrel on his left. I love the paw on the back of his buddy, looking at the squirrel hopping away on the branch as if to ask, "What's up bro'?"

When they all realized there was a camera, they hopped away, but gave me that disaffect youth look. As if I was the old person telling them to loiter elsewhere.

So, what is going on here? Which one of you readers out there knows about squirrel behavior--what would make four squirrels hang out on a ledge while sleeping and grooming each other? They all looked fully grown, I don't think they were young ones, but maybe they are? Anyone have any clues as to why they're hanging out together?

Trapped Squirrel

Sometimes squirrels get trapped in the Potter Traps for songbirds at Carpenter. We have to get them out, so I usually use a stick to open the door to avoid being inadvertently clawed. Today's squirrel was a little slow on the uptake: