Twigs and Leaves

The high winds and rain have begun to subside after two days of Sandy’s tantrum. There are few leaves remaining on the trees now; leaving skeletons of branches standing against a drab gray sky.

For the first time this fall, I can finally see the handiwork of the neighborhood squirrels. I love watching the gray squirrels scurry up and down the trees, carrying leaves to build their winter homes. I share their frustration when finally reaching the top branches a gust of wind knocks the leaf out of their mouths, flittering back to the ground. But squirrels are a persistent and determined species and soon they are back climbing up the trunk resuming their task.

When you look at a squirrel’s winter home, you can’t help but wonder how that mishmash of leaves and twigs can possibly survive during the long cold months. Oftentimes, you find these nests hanging off the farthest ends of branches hovering over busy streets and sidewalks. Other nests are tightly built around tangled pine branches, hidden from view. In either case, the nests are only temporary. By spring, most squirrels abandon these winter abodes in search of a fresher, cooler summer residence.

The winter I cared for three orphaned squirrels, I had provided them a wooden nest box complete with loose straw for bedding. When spring arrived and the three had moved on to lives of their own. I pulled down the box to clean. The nest box was large, 12”x12”x12”. Opening the cover, that spacious box had been thickly packed with broken down dried leaves, straw and fur. The squirrels had created a cocoon just big enough to hold them, allowing the natural insulation and body heat to keep them warm and protected over the many months of snow and cold.

I’m guessing that if I were to peek inside one of these treetop squirrel nest, I would find a similar environment. The outside tangle of broken twigs and leaves serves to secure the nest to the tree. It is not intended to be beautiful but functional. Likewise, the interior of densely matted vegetation is spartan but warm.

I am impressed with the ingenuity of these animals. How did they learn to construct such durable nests? Was this knowledge passed from one generation to another or instinctual? My own experience with wintering over young squirrels leans towards instinct, but I provided them with the nest box. Could they have built an entire nest without my help?  I don’t know the answers but one thing is certain. Squirrels, like all living creatures, have the internal drive to survive, learning and adapting to the ever changing environment in which they live. For the grey squirrels of North America, it is the ability to construct shelters that are safe, strong and warm against the elements of winter.