Sunday, January 8, 2012

Squirrel Appreciation Day

January 21 is a very special day. Squirrel Appreciation Day was started in 2001 by Christy Hargrove, a wildlife rehabilitator in Asheville, NC. Of course, squirrels should be appreciated every day of the year, but it is also good that there is a special day set aside for them!

There are many ways that you can celebrate Squirrel Appreciation Day. You can put some extra food out for your squirrel neighbors. Any kind of nuts or seeds will be appreciated. Sunflower seeds are very yummy and nutritious, and can be shared by the birds too! Too many people who like to feed birds think of squirrels as the enemy, because of their expertise at raiding bird feeders. But the squirrels are only doing the same as the birds, looking for a meal! If you have bird feeders, you can also put some seeds, corn, and nuts on the ground for the squirrels, or invest in a squirrel feeder or two. Or you can do as we do, and just put food out on your window sill where it can be enjoyed by both birds and squirrels.



Another way to celebrate the day is to learn more about squirrels. On the right hand side of this page you will see a list of "Squirrel Links" to squirrel-related websites. One of these that contains a lot of educational squirrel information is A Squirrel's Place.

Finally, if the weather is nice, spend some time outdoors visiting a local park or wildlife preserve, or even your own yard, where you can watch and enjoy the squirrels as they run, jump, and frolic.




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