The 2010 Squirrel Count Results Show:
A Decrease in Albino Squirrels,
An Increase in Gray Squirrels, and
An Increase in Cats.
Ratio of Gray to Albino Increase to 10.27 to 1 from Last Year.
This was the 32nd year counting the gray and albino squirrels in Olney. The count was coordinated by Belinda Henton. During the three weeks of the count, there were approximately 62 different volunteers who canvassed the 34 areas and counted the squirrels and cats. Volunteers consisted of students from Olney Central College, FFA from East Richland High School, St. Joseph School and volunteers from the community. We also had a family from Naperville, Illinois who came for the weekend to help with the count. The annual squirrel count was scheduled for three Saturdays beginning at 7:30 a.m. on October 9, October 16 and October 23.
Upon averaging data from the three counting dates, there were 904 gray squirrels, 88 albino squirrels and 104 cats. Compared to 2009, the gray squirrels increased 9.98%, the albino squirrels decreased by 20.72%. The cats increased by 9.48%. The gray to albino ratio in 2009 was 7.41 to 1 compared to the gray to albino ratio in 2010 of 10.27 to 1. This was the largest ratio increase in the history of the squirrel count which is a definite concern.
Last year there were many concerns about foxes in residential neighborhoods preying on squirrels. This year the number of fox complaints decreased, but they still have a presence in Olney. Residents need to continue to make their properties uninviting to these predators. This means not allowing access to pet food outdoors and enclosing out buildings so animals cannot use them as shelter and a place to raise their young. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has made available an informational handout with tips and suggestions on how to make buildings inaccessible to wild animals. This handout is available at City Hall.
A large number of complaints have been received this year about cats running at large. In 2002 the City of Olney passed an ordinance making it illegal to allow cats to run at large, the same as dogs. In 2002 there were only 43 cats counted during the annual count. This year a record 105 cats were counted. The ratio between squirrels and cats in 2002 was 18.44 squirrels to each cat, but in 2010 the ratio was 9.54 squirrels to each cat. Residents with cats need to be mindful that cats running at large are in danger of being trapped and owners assessed a fine. The City of Olney continues to work with the Richland County Animal Control for enforcement of this ordinance.
Some suggestions on ways to encourage the squirrel population are:
Feed and water the squirrels generously. Additional food offered by residents is essential to maintain the squirrel population. Appropriate supplemental food would be corn, beans, nuts, seeds, berries and fruits. Greasy, fried and salty foods are not appropriate. In the spring the squirrels eat buds and sprouts of trees which are their primary foods, but more volunteers are needed to feed the squirrels their appropriate diet, especially in the crucial winter months. Water is also crucial in the dry summer months.
While driving be watchful of squirrels near the roadway, and slow down in areas of large concentrations of squirrels. Many of these areas are marked with “Squirrel Crossing” signs. Traffic fatalities continue to account for the loss of many healthy squirrels.
Predators such as cats need to be controlled. Chapter 6 of the City of Olney Municipal Code restricts dogs and cats from running at large. The Richland County Animal Control Officer should be contacted for nuisance cats and dogs. This chapter also protects the squirrels from being taken from Olney. The word “take” as defined in the code has many meaning such as capturing, trapping or harassing.
More nut and fruit trees need to be planted to help with a natural food source. Residents with mature nut bearing trees should be reminded these trees do the squirrels no good if their nuts are raked up in the fall and thrown away with the leaves. Fallen nuts can be a nuisance or even unsafe at times, but if the nuts must be picked up, residents are asked to place them in a nearby location that may be less objectionable such as a fence row or given to someone who is willing to feed the squirrels. The mature nut trees act as a grocery store for the squirrels which is only open for a short period of time during the year. Olney needs more nut trees to support the needs of future generations of squirrels. Studies have shown when there are fewer trees there are also few squirrels.
Additional squirrel houses would help shelter squirrels in severe weather and while raising their young. There are several places in town to purchase squirrel houses. Information on specific places to purchase a squirrel house can be obtained at City Hall. City Hall also has squirrel house plans if residents prefer to make their own.
Avoid cutting down trees during the times which babies are in their nests. Squirrels are usually born in February or March and do not leave their nests until May. The second litter of the year is usually born in July or August and do not leave until October. If at all possible, avoid cutting trees in February, March April, July, August and September.
If a baby squirrel appears to be abandoned by its mother, residents are asked to leave it for a period of time because it might be possible to reunite the baby with its mother. During this waiting period, the area should be free from children, pets and other predators. The period of time the baby should be left to wait for its mother will depend mostly on weather conditions. Also, during this time a wildlife rehabilitator should be called for assistance. Belinda Henton continues to hold a wildlife rehabilitation permit through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and can be contacted concerning orphaned white squirrels.
A conscious effort needs to be made by residents to observe these suggestions if Olney’s white squirrel population is to survive. We, as a community, need to decide if we are going to continue to support our white squirrel population before they become nonexistent.
A great number of residents do not understand how important the white squirrels are to Olney. Many visitors come to Olney just for the purpose of seeing and photographing a white squirrel. These visitors stay in our motels, eat at our restaurants, buy our gas and shop in our stores. Without a white squirrel population these tourists will not have a reason to visit Olney and discover our other qualities. Few people would have a desire to visit Olney to see a gray squirrel or a cat.
Belinda Henton would like to extend a special thanks to all the volunteers who helped with this year’s count. Without them the count would not be possible. The annual count is a very important part to monitoring the squirrel population. If the count continues next year, it will be conducted on October 8, 15 and 22, 2011.
