I hope you've enjoyed the video! More Apollo & Athena films: th-cam.com/play/PLx09JDaWUEFOZ-jHdba9bm0HrYDJyT8X8.html&si=lkO_e0OsWpu79uWW Watch them 24/7 on my livestream: th-cam.com/play/PLx09JDaWUEFPocIUijCjOMU5rY8a_QugD.html Sign up to my newsletter for weekly updates: mailchi.mp/robertefuller/newslettersignup Follow me on: facebook.com/RobertEFullerArt/ | twitter.com/RobertEFuller | instagram.com/robertefuller/ | Robertefuller (@robertefuller) | TikTok
I don’t think people understand what damage invasive species do to native species! I applaud you for protecting those nest sites for your local bird life
If they understood, people wouldn't invade foreign species in the first place, would they? Or they might anyway bc they don't care & just do whatever they want to do. It's the 'nature of the (human) beast.'
Invasive. What???? Humans are the most invasive species EVER. SO WHAT THE HELL ARE U SAYING???? HUMANS REALLY ARE THE DUMBEST SPECIES EVER. DUMB AS HELL
This reminds me of the episode of the cartoon “Pink Panther” in which a painter is painting a large column blue while the Pink Panther is on the other side painting it pink. They both keep painting while rotating around the column unaware of each other! LOL.
I started watching this channel for the birds, but I'd love a whole segment about the squirrels or other critters too. It's so fun to watch the squirrel make the nest cozy
@@Ponty-cr1ll American Grey Squirrels are not welcome, invasive and very damaging to the environment. I wouldn't think this channel would do videos on animals they will cull every year to destroy levels. It wouldn't be smart.
I love watching gray squirrels here in Pennsylvania where they are native...they are intelligent, funny, and cheeky. I appreciate the way you handled this situation, clearing out the nests before any babies appeared. I understand the problems non-native species cause, but almost always their presence is due to the interference of the most invasive species on the planet: humans. It's not the animals' fault that most of the time we clearly don't know our impact on ecosystems. Thank you, Robert, for all of the wonderful work you do!😊❤
Yeah they don't know their invasive. They're just making do like everyone else on this planet. I admire their resourcefulness. And of course here in the States it's hard not to see a squirrel once the weather gets warm. I do have issues with a lot of invasive plants in my yard though so I do understand how invasive species without enough competition can be so aggressive
Here in Seattle, there was a war against Eastern gray squirrels vs. Western gray squirrels. The Westerns are a little smaller and were less successful than the Easterns, but honestly, only a wildlife expert could tell the difference. So that means that a subspecies of gray squirrel is even invasive in its native area! It's just like Red-headed House finches, native to the West, but imported as "Hollywood finches" to the East. Now, they're everywhere. When do we just accept them and decide it's a natural process after all?
Same here, I live in North Carolina, we have a lot of them and they are quite entertaining. Sure they are pesky to the backyard feeders- but they are just being animals- they don't know some hate them. Like the little sparrows people despise so much- I love watching them hop around- not their fault they aren't "native" to wherever they are. Just like humans- we aren't all "native" to where we started.
@JoyceP1958 Agreed, 100%! I find it ironic that humans disdain creatures who are as adaptable and widespread as we are. The more a species spreads, the less we like it, except, of course, ourselves. Interesting how we forget that "invasive" is a human term...yet we rarely worry about introducing new species into an area for our own pleasure until it's too late. Also, I lived for the last year in Hendersonville, NC, where we had white squirrels...not albinos, but a color variation introduced from possible transplants from Florida. Very striking, and so far fairly localized and rare, but starting to flourish because their natural predators apparently ignore them. Eventually they'll lose their "special" status and be called invasive pests too.
For all here wondering why the Kestrel doesn't prey on the squirrel, here are a couple of facts: A female Common kestrel weighs around 150-300 grams on average. An adult Eastern gray squirrel typically weighs 400-600 grams. So the squirrel is usually about 2 times the weight of the Kestrel. A couple weeks ago I picked up a squirrel off the road that had been hit by a car and was surprised at how heavy it really was.
Prachtig filmpje. Hier is goed te zien dat alle dieren vechten voor een mooi onderkomen. Zeker om hun jongen te baren en groot te brengen. Groeten uit Nederland.
Yep! That looks like our squirrels here in Wisconsin USA. There are plenty of predators on our rural acreage, so there are just a few. In the nearby village, grey squirrels are everywhere. In the winter now, we can see their dreys everywhere. Lots of these squirrels become roadkill even with a 25 mph speed limit in the village. My husband despises them because they jump on our squirrel-proof feeders and eat the fallen seeds. We even use hot pepper suet! I think they’re beautiful, and since they were here first, I don’t hate them; squirrels do what squirrels do. And so do coyotes, flying raptors, foxes, raccoons and other predators. Rural squirrels don’t have an easy time of it here where they’re native. I thoroughly enjoyed your video and agree 100% with your decision to remove the squirrel den. 💜💜💜
Ask ur husband to scatter birdseed & any other foods on the ground for the birds, squirrels & any other hungry small creatures, instead of "despising" a hungry animal for trying to eat in cold, food-scarce winter. Or else you do it, how can u watch squirrels or any creature desperate to get the food they see & not let them have some?
@ These squirrels are plenty plump. My husband puts corn out for everybody. All our produce waste gets thrown off the deck. He bought a bag of apples, too. So, the bird feeders are for the birds and only birds. If the squirrel eats all the suet, there’s no suet for the woodpeckers and nuthatches. If the squirrel empties the seed feeder, there’s no seed for the goldfinches and the chickadees. ANYWAY, in our seventies, there’s no way one can change the other. He hates squirrels but feeds feral cats every day. He’s a good man.
The problem is squirrels are invasive in the region so accommodating them actually creates issues especially for the native squirrels. Where I live squirrels are seen as harmless rustic creatures
@@michael_c2 grey squirrels have been in the UK long enough that they definitely shouldn't be classed as invasive.... It's not their problem that they are successful.
@@lafunk1978whether a species is classified as invasive or not has nothing to do with how long it’s been in a country but on the negative impact it has. Grey squirrels still do lots of damage to forests and other species if animals so they are still classed as invasive. Some species like little owls are non-native but not classed as invasive because they fill an ecological niche and don’t negatively impact the local environment in the UK.
We exchanged invasive species'. The English house sparrow is now in all 50 states, including Hawaii! They are aggressive with food and shelter, crowding out bluebirds and other sensitive birds.
@ no way. There aren't any squirrels in Hawaii. Many people who were born and raised here have never left the islands and have not seen a squirrel.. or a robin, crow, blue Jay, Oak or Maple trees. I was raised in Michigan which has an over abundance of wildlife. I do miss it so much. The wildlife here is mostly in the water, as you could guess. Their bird book is about 1cm thick.
As long as it’s red squirrels. I really love their Red Squirrels so he should give them a ton of support, since they’re slowly being whipped out by the Greys.
Grey squirrel are not good news here in the UK the amount of damage to our native wildlife and trees is huge plus the fact the cameras wouldn’t work as the squirrels chew through the cables I have just spent 3 weeks replacing wires and expensive equipment because of the grey squirrels habit to nibble They will not be welcome in my nests boxes unfortunately
This is fascinating. Nest sharing by squirrels is most common between siblings or a mother with a juvenile offspring. It would be very unlikely for a female squirrel to tolerate a potential suitor in her den. The squirrels probably have a few other dreys in the neighbourhood so it shouldn’t trouble them too much for you to move them on 😅 Much as I adore squirrels I can understand that the owls and kestrels need these nest boxes more. Thanks for sharing this video ❤
I think the bigger issue is that the grey squirrel is a feral, introduced animal. They are outcompeting native animals for many things. As cute as they might be, they need to be sorted out.
Emily, I was thinking the same about the female tolerating the male in the den. Unheard of here in the States. Maybe she was just using him for labor and would kick him out when birthing time came near, or sooner. Much as I love grey squirrels (I raised one once, the Navvy of my username), I appreciate that they are detrimental in the UK. It is hard to be fascinated watching their industry in "decorating" that den while at the same time knowing they are depriving native species. And it is true they will have backup dreys anyway. Foxes prey on grey squirrels here. Do they not in the UK? I guess not enough to make a dent. 🤔
@@NavvyMom Good morning 🤗 It was nice to receive your comment 🥰 Yes, some potential predators of squirrels in the UK have been persecuted to low numbers. But in some areas they are reintroducing pine martens. Even though pine martens are predators of squirrels, this seems to have a beneficial effect on red squirrel populations. It has been especially evident on the island of Ireland. I'm not sure if I can post a link here, but there is an interesting article about it in the Guardian called 'Red squirrel finds pine marten a fearsome ally in its fight for survival'. Where I live in the East of England, there are no red squirrels but the greys in my suburban neighbourhood are much loved. Red squirrels are still thriving in mainland Europe, so I get the best of both worlds, with greys to watch in my garden and reds to watch on livestreams 😁
There would be just Grey squirrels and jackdaws in the nests if it wasn’t for me refereeing plus no cameras cameras working because they chew through the cables
Very interesting about squirrels. I have a family that frequently come near my house. Those squirrels are definitely keeping you busy. Thanks for helping our sweet kestrels.❤ Thanks for Sharing Robert 💛
Yes They are a non native invasive species in the UK maybe they behave themselves at home but Grey Squirrels are a huge problem here in the UK have a wider diet than our native Red squirrels and Greys strip bark from trees eat birds eggs and chicks take over nesting sites just like I have shown here in my video and carry squirrel pox a deadly disease to our Red squirrels which population has been reduced to dwindling numbers in Scotland and small pockets of the UK
I definitely don’t judge them personally but they are non-native invasive species and as someone who devotes my time to Wildlife conservation I wouldn’t be acting in the correct manner encouraging grey squirrels
Yes, love them and admire them too, but gotta give the kestrels a fighting chance. Plus the squirrels have lots more options, being able to build nests in the branches and all.
😂😂 i loved the confused squirrel scene. I can't believe someone from the US would deliberately bring a gray squirrel to the UK!!! THAT'S terrible, especially considering we have evasive plants & animals here with the same problem!! SHAME ON THEM!! (I live in Florida) grrrr your red Squirrels are so beautiful too!! I'm so sorry England for our rudeness. 😢😢❤❤❤❤
@sherrywebber4013 this was way back in the 1800's ya know people back then didn't realize the destruction, that bringing new species into other habitats did to the environment. We have the luxury, technology, & documented research these days to understand it now. I mean if you think about it. Horses were brought over here from Spain. They aren't native either
@billythatkidd6926 that's very true. THANK you for filling me in on when they were introduced. It makes sense now ... because of just what you explained. I retract my statement & hope I have not offended anyone. 😄😃😊
I just recently found your account and I love your videos! It’s interesting to spot the subtle differences between your kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) and the American ones where I live (Falco sparverius)
Oh wow, I knew Grey Squirrels were invasive (in Ireland, England and Scotland), but haven't realised just how much trouble they bring to the native birds! I assumed they'd be too scared to approach the bird of prey like that! Thank you for this insight to to this!
It's that lack of fear that makes the reintroduction of pine martens so effective. Pine martens eat red squirrels, which have evolved alongside them and spend less time on the ground. Grey squirrels didn't, so they spend more time on the ground and are more likely to be eaten by a pine marten if they are in that area.
We had a squirrel evict a pair of screech owls from their hollow in the limb of our dead ginormous cotton wood tree. At first it was a sad thing as the owl pair had successfully raised chicks in that tree the previous 2 years... Until the entire limb came down in a storm, complete with the squirrel still in as we saw it emerge dazed from the rubble and climb back up the tree. Squirrels are much better at surviving such a thing than owlets, so in the end it was a good thing.
I’ve started to really appreciate the gray squirrels here in North America. It’s so disappointing that they were introduced and are pushing out the red squirrels 😔. I watch Dani Connor for my red squirrel content!
They are a huge problem for our native wildlife and and trees look up them stripping bark from trees They should be controlled and I do so every winter otherwise all of the nests would be taken over by them
Hey @RobertEFuller if u dont mind me asking what Camera are u using to capture the inside of those nests ? i wanna build something simular where i live.
I think the squirrels might be a bit too big for the Tawnies. Probably the main predators of the squirrels are going to be Buzzards, Red kites and foxes.
The grey squirrel has been an absolute catastrophe for wildlife here. Our winters have no effect on them at all, even at -8 degrees last week they were trotting around my garden. I've got kestrels near where I live, only seen them once though sat on a telephone wire. Couldn't believe it.
Grey squirrels were introduced 149 years ago, and yet they are still going strong while red Squirrels perish. The largest reason is habit loss; grey Squirrels are more adaptable while red Squirrels need a large forest to live in and don't hibernate. If people stopped clearing what few wild areas still exist in the UK, then they wouldn't be at risk of loosing Red Squirrels. Think of how barren the land must be to not be able to support 2 small rodents at once.
It’s very sad we are losing the Reds Every thing you say is true but Red squirrels can live in small pockets of woodland if they have the correct types of trees and Geys don’t technically hibernate they are bigger and have more fat reserves over winter so can have sleepy days in really bad weather
Greys are very adaptable. I live in a suburb of Washington, DC and there are grey squirrels everywhere. They thrive in and around human settlement. But it sounds like your native red squirrels need a more specific type of habitat and aren't quite as adaptable.
Birds of prey have advantage over squirrels when they strike from the air. The speed/agility of the strike, taken by surprised by the strike and with the force of the strike that makes quick work with those talons is what kills. But when the bird doesn’t have the element of surprise they flee. A bird of prey, especially a Kestrel which are small, could end up getting injuries and those injuries could also be fatal if they get infected and sick from it. Fuller has said that the Greys have really hurt the Red squirrel population with competitive fights being one of the reasons. The Red squirrels even became sick from their injuries with the Greys.
A Kestrel's feet and talons aren't big or particularly strong, squirrels are strong and also have big strong teeth, a Kestrel wouldn't want to risk getting on the wrong side of that. A Goshawk on the other hand, that would be a serious threat to Grey Squirrels.
Yeah it's not like he's shooting them. But there are definitely some people out there that take advantage of this or even shooting on invasive species by trying to claim that they're invasive. It's actually a cottage industry on TH-cam of people shooting animals. They claim it's in the name of biodiversity but some of these channels have very dubious definitions of invasive and are not actually following the laws of their local governments
I just knew that a North American female would show up to praise gray squirrels. Each to his/her own but they are an invasive species in the UK whose presence not only impacts smaller nesting predators in cavities but has decimated the native red squirrel. They do not need to use tree cavities in any event as they create nest balls of foliage among tree branches. Pesky rodents. Thank you RF for sending them packing in favor of native wildlife.
The squirrel DID NOT SNEAK UP BEHIND HER. ATHENA IS IN THE SQUIRRELS HOME. ATHENA DOENT OWN THE DAMN TREE. THE SQUIRRELS MADE A HOME THERE. SO ITS THEIR HOME. NOT ATHENAS.
After reading many comments I have found the solution! As humans, we should take responsibility for this crazy mix-up with our invasive species from the USA and the UK. So... anyone have any good recipes for Starlings and Squirrels? 😆
Yes thank u, enjoyed video + others u make. Seems to be the "mystery of life," why such a perfect symbiotic system of nature was created on Earth & then the human species added, to screw it up, e.g. who 'transported' grey squirrels to UK where nature hadn't designed them to be?
Why can't the squirrels have the nest in the kestrals off season? That don't make sense to oust them when the breeding season doesn't seem to overlap. Isn't that what animals do anyway? 🤔
it's sad for the kestrels if they don't have enough variation in size/strength to adapt to the bountiful food opportunities provided by the invasive grey squirrels.
Well. Well. U know what I have to say to this video. HUMANS:;Stop cutting down the woods and then the squirrels would have somewhere to go. WHY ONLY BUILD PLACES FOR THE BIRDS???? SQUIRRELS ARE JUST IMPORTANT
I did not expect squirrels to be that intimidating to push out both an owl and kestrel out of a nest. You think as a prey animal, the squirrel would give up and run away seeing a Bird of Prey.
Birds of prey need to swoop down from above to catch them from behind. But in a close quarters situation like in that nest, the feisty squirrel has the advantage.
@@raginromans Goshawks are a rare sight, there aren't many eagles in England, sparrowhawks tend to go after birds (and mammals smaller than grey squirrels), and buzzards and kites are better adapted to soaring in open areas than flying through forests and woodland. The reintroduction of the pine marten would be able to reduce their numbers (pine martens evolved alongside red squirrels so the grey squirrels wouldn't have the same sort of caution towards them, spend more time on the ground and be more likely to be eaten than the red squirrels).
Humans can eat them. I've heard they are very gamey, though. As humans, we should take responsibility for this crazy mix-up. So... anyone have any good recipes for Starlings and Squirrels?
I've only seen youngish squirrel siblings play like that. Squirrels mating is more like a mob of males chasing a female around during the one day she is in heat.
05:31 Athena reclaims her nest just in time! With the breeding season approaching, will the kestrels manage to defend their home from persistent squirrels? What’s your prediction?
@ That’s great to hear! It sounds like you play an important role in maintaining the balance. Here’s hoping Athena and her family have a successful season-thanks for sharing!
I hope you've enjoyed the video!
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That is one valuable piece of property! Everyone wants to move in.
Rent went up 30% overnight l! 😮
Not every tree has a desirable, perfect hole in it, mostly found in old growth forests not yet 'sold off' to timber companies.
I don’t think people understand what damage invasive species do to native species! I applaud you for protecting those nest sites for your local bird life
If they understood, people wouldn't invade foreign species in the first place, would they? Or they might anyway bc they don't care & just do whatever they want to do. It's the 'nature of the (human) beast.'
Yes we need to look after our native animals
Invasive species???? PLEASE RESEARCH WHAT YOU SAY BEFORE U SAY IT. HUMANS ARE INVASIVE SPECIES. SO WHAT WOULD U SAY TO THAT????
Invasive. What???? Humans are the most invasive species EVER. SO WHAT THE HELL ARE U SAYING???? HUMANS REALLY ARE THE DUMBEST SPECIES EVER. DUMB AS HELL
This reminds me of the episode of the cartoon “Pink Panther” in which a painter is painting a large column blue while the Pink Panther is on the other side painting it pink. They both keep painting while rotating around the column unaware of each other! LOL.
I started watching this channel for the birds, but I'd love a whole segment about the squirrels or other critters too. It's so fun to watch the squirrel make the nest cozy
He's also got longer videos on stoats, badgers, and foxes!
@@Ponty-cr1ll American Grey Squirrels are not welcome, invasive and very damaging to the environment. I wouldn't think this channel would do videos on animals they will cull every year to destroy levels. It wouldn't be smart.
I love watching gray squirrels here in Pennsylvania where they are native...they are intelligent, funny, and cheeky. I appreciate the way you handled this situation, clearing out the nests before any babies appeared. I understand the problems non-native species cause, but almost always their presence is due to the interference of the most invasive species on the planet: humans. It's not the animals' fault that most of the time we clearly don't know our impact on ecosystems. Thank you, Robert, for all of the wonderful work you do!😊❤
Yeah they don't know their invasive. They're just making do like everyone else on this planet. I admire their resourcefulness. And of course here in the States it's hard not to see a squirrel once the weather gets warm. I do have issues with a lot of invasive plants in my yard though so I do understand how invasive species without enough competition can be so aggressive
Here in Seattle, there was a war against Eastern gray squirrels vs. Western gray squirrels. The Westerns are a little smaller and were less successful than the Easterns, but honestly, only a wildlife expert could tell the difference. So that means that a subspecies of gray squirrel is even invasive in its native area! It's just like Red-headed House finches, native to the West, but imported as "Hollywood finches" to the East. Now, they're everywhere. When do we just accept them and decide it's a natural process after all?
Same here, I live in North Carolina, we have a lot of them and they are quite entertaining. Sure they are pesky to the backyard feeders- but they are just being animals- they don't know some hate them. Like the little sparrows people despise so much- I love watching them hop around- not their fault they aren't "native" to wherever they are. Just like humans- we aren't all "native" to where we started.
@JoyceP1958 Agreed, 100%! I find it ironic that humans disdain creatures who are as adaptable and widespread as we are. The more a species spreads, the less we like it, except, of course, ourselves. Interesting how we forget that "invasive" is a human term...yet we rarely worry about introducing new species into an area for our own pleasure until it's too late.
Also, I lived for the last year in Hendersonville, NC, where we had white squirrels...not albinos, but a color variation introduced from possible transplants from Florida. Very striking, and so far fairly localized and rare, but starting to flourish because their natural predators apparently ignore them. Eventually they'll lose their "special" status and be called invasive pests too.
They aren't disdained without good reason. They decimate local species, many of which are endangered. Yes, just like humans. We can hate both.
Thank you for another beautiful video - you show such sensitivity towards the animals you film so expertly!
For all here wondering why the Kestrel doesn't prey on the squirrel, here are a couple of facts: A female Common kestrel weighs around 150-300 grams on average. An adult Eastern gray squirrel typically weighs 400-600 grams. So the squirrel is usually about 2 times the weight of the Kestrel.
A couple weeks ago I picked up a squirrel off the road that had been hit by a car and was surprised at how heavy it really was.
Yeah, they're chunky little guys.
Yes very true a kestrel can’t take on a grey squirrel
@@FirebladesSong 😂
Prachtig filmpje. Hier is goed te zien dat alle dieren vechten voor een mooi onderkomen. Zeker om hun jongen te baren en groot te brengen. Groeten uit Nederland.
Thank you Robert! Those squirrels are determined . Athena and Appollo have their work cut out for them! Thanks for lending the kestrels a hand.🙏
I love your content. Your soothing voice & the care you show these animals is beyond words.☺️
😂😂😂
It's little look of * I could have sworn I already decorated in here * 😂😂
🤣
Prime real estate is always worth fighting for! 🐿
Loved and thoroughly enjoyed this squirrel / Kestrel saga. You do such FAB work! Thank you for sharing 🥰
Thank you so much!
Kestrels and Robert vs Grey Squirrels
We win every time
Thank you for sharing Robert,
Well done! I favour kestrels too.
We have a choice Non-native grey squirrels or our beautiful kestrels
Kestrels every time for me
Thanks for this entertaining and informative look at the secret life of critters. Maybe they need a Tenancy Tribunal. Loving it from NZ
Yep! That looks like our squirrels here in Wisconsin USA. There are plenty of predators on our rural acreage, so there are just a few. In the nearby village, grey squirrels are everywhere. In the winter now, we can see their dreys everywhere. Lots of these squirrels become roadkill even with a 25 mph speed limit in the village. My husband despises them because they jump on our squirrel-proof feeders and eat the fallen seeds. We even use hot pepper suet! I think they’re beautiful, and since they were here first, I don’t hate them; squirrels do what squirrels do. And so do coyotes, flying raptors, foxes, raccoons and other predators. Rural squirrels don’t have an easy time of it here where they’re native. I thoroughly enjoyed your video and agree 100% with your decision to remove the squirrel den. 💜💜💜
Ask ur husband to scatter birdseed & any other foods on the ground for the birds, squirrels & any other hungry small creatures, instead of "despising" a hungry animal for trying to eat in cold, food-scarce winter. Or else you do it, how can u watch squirrels or any creature desperate to get the food they see & not let them have some?
@ These squirrels are plenty plump. My husband puts corn out for everybody. All our produce waste gets thrown off the deck. He bought a bag of apples, too. So, the bird feeders are for the birds and only birds. If the squirrel eats all the suet, there’s no suet for the woodpeckers and nuthatches. If the squirrel empties the seed feeder, there’s no seed for the goldfinches and the chickadees. ANYWAY, in our seventies, there’s no way one can change the other. He hates squirrels but feeds feral cats every day. He’s a good man.
Oh my goodness! Looks like you need to start building more habitats so everyone has a home 🤗😉
I’m definitely not building anything for grey squirrels 😉
The problem is squirrels are invasive in the region so accommodating them actually creates issues especially for the native squirrels. Where I live squirrels are seen as harmless rustic creatures
Actually 'we" (egocentric species) need to stop destroying more habitats, so everyone has a home. Finite planet Earth has limited habitats.
@@michael_c2 grey squirrels have been in the UK long enough that they definitely shouldn't be classed as invasive.... It's not their problem that they are successful.
@@lafunk1978whether a species is classified as invasive or not has nothing to do with how long it’s been in a country but on the negative impact it has. Grey squirrels still do lots of damage to forests and other species if animals so they are still classed as invasive. Some species like little owls are non-native but not classed as invasive because they fill an ecological niche and don’t negatively impact the local environment in the UK.
Beautiful and amazing documentry..
Thank you
thanks for the narrative
always a pleasure
We exchanged invasive species'. The English house sparrow is now in all 50 states, including Hawaii! They are aggressive with food and shelter, crowding out bluebirds and other sensitive birds.
Please let’s do a swap squirrels for sparrows
@ no way. There aren't any squirrels in Hawaii. Many people who were born and raised here have never left the islands and have not seen a squirrel.. or a robin, crow, blue Jay, Oak or Maple trees.
I was raised in Michigan which has an over abundance of wildlife. I do miss it so much.
The wildlife here is mostly in the water, as you could guess. Their bird book is about 1cm thick.
Kinda similar to what the human species does to wildlife, take over all habitats w/ our 'development.'
Those squirrels 🐿️ are cute little squatters…
I hope, the kestrels do fine this year. Athena and Apollo are my favorites.
They are my favourites too 👌
@@RobertEFuller You're not allowed to have favorites lol
I'd be happy to see the squirrels too. What they do over winter, building their nest, raising kits! I don't blame them liking that cushy spot
As long as it’s red squirrels. I really love their Red Squirrels so he should give them a ton of support, since they’re slowly being whipped out by the Greys.
@@kips8156no its not that's myth , red squirrel is lost of habitat
Grey squirrel are not good news here in the UK the amount of damage to our native wildlife and trees is huge plus the fact the cameras wouldn’t work as the squirrels chew through the cables
I have just spent 3 weeks replacing wires and expensive equipment because of the grey squirrels habit to nibble
They will not be welcome in my nests boxes unfortunately
I always know when it’s a Kestrel that I see because they are always doing their hovering❤
Great film work. In my neighborhood in a suburb of Washington, DC, grey squrrels are everywhere. They're very adaptable animals.
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL KESTREL FAMILY!❤️❤️❤️❤️ NAUGHTY SQUIRRELS!😠..... IT'S CRAZY COMPETITIVE OUT THERE!😯
Wouldn't be in this case, if some uncaring person had known better than to forcefully introduce a foreign species where they didn't exist naturally.
This is fascinating. Nest sharing by squirrels is most common between siblings or a mother with a juvenile offspring. It would be very unlikely for a female squirrel to tolerate a potential suitor in her den. The squirrels probably have a few other dreys in the neighbourhood so it shouldn’t trouble them too much for you to move them on 😅 Much as I adore squirrels I can understand that the owls and kestrels need these nest boxes more. Thanks for sharing this video ❤
I think the bigger issue is that the grey squirrel is a feral, introduced animal. They are outcompeting native animals for many things. As cute as they might be, they need to be sorted out.
Very simple answer is yes 👍
Emily, I was thinking the same about the female tolerating the male in the den. Unheard of here in the States. Maybe she was just using him for labor and would kick him out when birthing time came near, or sooner.
Much as I love grey squirrels (I raised one once, the Navvy of my username), I appreciate that they are detrimental in the UK. It is hard to be fascinated watching their industry in "decorating" that den while at the same time knowing they are depriving native species. And it is true they will have backup dreys anyway.
Foxes prey on grey squirrels here. Do they not in the UK? I guess not enough to make a dent. 🤔
@@NavvyMom Good morning 🤗 It was nice to receive your comment 🥰 Yes, some potential predators of squirrels in the UK have been persecuted to low numbers. But in some areas they are reintroducing pine martens. Even though pine martens are predators of squirrels, this seems to have a beneficial effect on red squirrel populations. It has been especially evident on the island of Ireland. I'm not sure if I can post a link here, but there is an interesting article about it in the Guardian called 'Red squirrel finds pine marten a fearsome ally in its fight for survival'. Where I live in the East of England, there are no red squirrels but the greys in my suburban neighbourhood are much loved. Red squirrels are still thriving in mainland Europe, so I get the best of both worlds, with greys to watch in my garden and reds to watch on livestreams 😁
The grey squirrel is so beautiful🎉
This is truly amazing the activity that goes on .Wow those squirrels 🐿️ are determined nothing less
There would be just Grey squirrels and jackdaws in the nests if it wasn’t for me refereeing plus no cameras cameras working because they chew through the cables
Squirrels will bring just as many, if not more likes and views as birds
Very interesting about squirrels. I have a family that frequently come near my house. Those squirrels are definitely keeping you busy. Thanks for helping our sweet kestrels.❤
Thanks for Sharing Robert 💛
So beautiful.
Wonderful video!!
Invasion species? I live in Kansas, U.S.A.. We have lots of gray squirrels here. We have some on my block. They are nice creatures.
Yes They are a non native invasive species in the UK maybe they behave themselves at home but Grey Squirrels are a huge problem here in the UK have a wider diet than our native Red squirrels and Greys strip bark from trees eat birds eggs and chicks take over nesting sites just like I have shown here in my video and carry squirrel pox a deadly disease to our Red squirrels which population has been reduced to dwindling numbers in Scotland and small pockets of the UK
❤🎉🎉🎉
I know they're invasive but it's not like the squirrels know that. So I don't judge them personally and I admire their resourcefulness.
I definitely don’t judge them personally but they are non-native invasive species and as someone who devotes my time to Wildlife conservation I wouldn’t be acting in the correct manner encouraging grey squirrels
Yes, love them and admire them too, but gotta give the kestrels a fighting chance. Plus the squirrels have lots more options, being able to build nests in the branches and all.
Good luck, kestrels!
Wow, stunning video
More Apollo&Athena is good films
😂😂 i loved the confused squirrel scene. I can't believe someone from the US would deliberately bring a gray squirrel to the UK!!! THAT'S terrible, especially considering we have evasive plants & animals here with the same problem!! SHAME ON THEM!! (I live in Florida) grrrr your red Squirrels are so beautiful too!! I'm so sorry England for our rudeness. 😢😢❤❤❤❤
@sherrywebber4013 this was way back in the 1800's ya know people back then didn't realize the destruction, that bringing new species into other habitats did to the environment. We have the luxury, technology, & documented research these days to understand it now.
I mean if you think about it. Horses were brought over here from Spain. They aren't native either
@billythatkidd6926 that's very true. THANK you for filling me in on when they were introduced. It makes sense now ... because of just what you explained. I retract my statement & hope I have not offended anyone. 😄😃😊
يبدو أنكي ايتوه السيادة المحترمة تحبني الموسيقى ولكن هل تحبني عمل الخير مساعدة عائلة محتاج للمساعدة 😢😢😢 العاجلة
I just recently found your account and I love your videos! It’s interesting to spot the subtle differences between your kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) and the American ones where I live (Falco sparverius)
Yes ours are bigger in size too but both species are so beautiful
Funnily enough, American kestrels aren't actually kestrels: they're more closely related to peregrine, prairie, and aplomado falcons.
Beautiful.
Oh wow, I knew Grey Squirrels were invasive (in Ireland, England and Scotland), but haven't realised just how much trouble they bring to the native birds! I assumed they'd be too scared to approach the bird of prey like that! Thank you for this insight to to this!
It's that lack of fear that makes the reintroduction of pine martens so effective. Pine martens eat red squirrels, which have evolved alongside them and spend less time on the ground. Grey squirrels didn't, so they spend more time on the ground and are more likely to be eaten by a pine marten if they are in that area.
They are not good news at all they push out Tawny owls, barn owls, little owls,kestrels if it’s not the squirrels it’s the Jackdaws causing problems
We had a squirrel evict a pair of screech owls from their hollow in the limb of our dead ginormous cotton wood tree. At first it was a sad thing as the owl pair had successfully raised chicks in that tree the previous 2 years... Until the entire limb came down in a storm, complete with the squirrel still in as we saw it emerge dazed from the rubble and climb back up the tree. Squirrels are much better at surviving such a thing than owlets, so in the end it was a good thing.
I’ve started to really appreciate the gray squirrels here in North America. It’s so disappointing that they were introduced and are pushing out the red squirrels 😔. I watch Dani Connor for my red squirrel content!
i love in Northumberland and the fight to keep the reds here and greys away is an on going battle, they are a menace.
Hi Robert, I never thought that squirrels could be a problem for birds of prey, in fact I thought they had attacked them, thanks for video.
They are a huge problem for our native wildlife and and trees look up them stripping bark from trees
They should be controlled and I do so every winter otherwise all of the nests would be taken over by them
Thanks Robert @@RobertEFuller
Hey @RobertEFuller if u dont mind me asking what Camera are u using to capture the inside of those nests ? i wanna build something simular where i live.
Wouldn't squirrels be a good meal for the tawny owls?
Probably. Though they could be fiesty at times. Plus if grey squirrels aren’t native, they could carry diseases dangerous to them
It would need the element of surprise
I believe they would make a fine snack, blessings to you young lady
I think the squirrels might be a bit too big for the Tawnies.
Probably the main predators of the squirrels are going to be Buzzards, Red kites and foxes.
@@BudaKhan420 ... fear, surprise and ruthless efficiency
I have no hard feelings towards the squirrels. i love them just as much as Athena and Appolo 😅
Squirrels They are fun to watch but I have a decision we either have non-native grey squirrels or our native beautiful kestrels
@RobertEFuller I know Robert, I love the Kestrels❤️
The grey squirrel has been an absolute catastrophe for wildlife here. Our winters have no effect on them at all, even at -8 degrees last week they were trotting around my garden. I've got kestrels near where I live, only seen them once though sat on a telephone wire. Couldn't believe it.
Grey squirrels were introduced 149 years ago, and yet they are still going strong while red Squirrels perish. The largest reason is habit loss; grey Squirrels are more adaptable while red Squirrels need a large forest to live in and don't hibernate. If people stopped clearing what few wild areas still exist in the UK, then they wouldn't be at risk of loosing Red Squirrels. Think of how barren the land must be to not be able to support 2 small rodents at once.
It’s very sad we are losing the Reds Every thing you say is true but Red squirrels can live in small pockets of woodland if they have the correct types of trees and Geys don’t technically hibernate they are bigger and have more fat reserves over winter so can have sleepy days in really bad weather
Greys are very adaptable. I live in a suburb of Washington, DC and there are grey squirrels everywhere. They thrive in and around human settlement. But it sounds like your native red squirrels need a more specific type of habitat and aren't quite as adaptable.
I have a nesting pair of kestrels in my garden also red kite nesting in woods by the house its amazing to watch them
I assumed that a predator bird like a kestrel would make short work of a squirrel if you consider that it has talons.
Birds of prey have advantage over squirrels when they strike from the air. The speed/agility of the strike, taken by surprised by the strike and with the force of the strike that makes quick work with those talons is what kills. But when the bird doesn’t have the element of surprise they flee. A bird of prey, especially a Kestrel which are small, could end up getting injuries and those injuries could also be fatal if they get infected and sick from it. Fuller has said that the Greys have really hurt the Red squirrel population with competitive fights being one of the reasons. The Red squirrels even became sick from their injuries with the Greys.
A grey Squirrel weighs over twice as much as a kestrel so they are not able to push them out let alone kill them Even Tawny Owls struggle with them
A Kestrel's feet and talons aren't big or particularly strong, squirrels are strong and also have big strong teeth, a Kestrel wouldn't want to risk getting on the wrong side of that.
A Goshawk on the other hand, that would be a serious threat to Grey Squirrels.
30k kestrels vs 3m squirrels? You did the right thing.
Yeah it's not like he's shooting them. But there are definitely some people out there that take advantage of this or even shooting on invasive species by trying to claim that they're invasive. It's actually a cottage industry on TH-cam of people shooting animals. They claim it's in the name of biodiversity but some of these channels have very dubious definitions of invasive and are not actually following the laws of their local governments
I love watching squirrels too
BTW you should put a "No Squirrels Allowed" sign outside the nest. 😄
Squirrels can’t read unfortunately
I wonder where she went for those couple of days before getting her nest back 🤔 x
C'mon, our Kes! Come to Craaaaiiig Daaavid!
I've got an idea: since your channel is kind of big, take donations and build a thousand nests. Just kidding. Great channel!
Can’t wait for kestrel season LOL
I just knew that a North American female would show up to praise gray squirrels. Each to his/her own but they are an invasive species in the UK whose presence not only impacts smaller nesting predators in cavities but has decimated the native red squirrel. They do not need to use tree cavities in any event as they create nest balls of foliage among tree branches. Pesky rodents. Thank you RF for sending them packing in favor of native wildlife.
👍 It’s important to protect the native wildlife
"North American female" is... such an odd way to refer to another person
Glad you moved those grey squirrels on.
The squirrel DID NOT SNEAK UP BEHIND HER. ATHENA IS IN THE SQUIRRELS HOME. ATHENA DOENT OWN THE DAMN TREE. THE SQUIRRELS MADE A HOME THERE. SO ITS THEIR HOME. NOT ATHENAS.
After reading many comments I have found the solution!
As humans, we should take responsibility for this crazy mix-up with our invasive species from the USA and the UK.
So... anyone have any good recipes for Starlings and Squirrels? 😆
Yes 👍 Squirrels do taste good
That's what humans are good at, gobbling up so many 'wild' species to extirpation or extinction.
I'm sad for all these critters! We all need homes!
I love squirrels ❤
Love your channel. Love the kestrels and owls. Hate grey squirrels.
Burrowing owls choice of armature for nest defense is the .50 cal. Perhaps the kestrels should have a word of advice from them...
Oh no....Athena's main home 😢. Those quirrels are really aggressive😢.
They would take over if I let them There are 4 owl / kestrel nest boxes at Ashwood 3 were taken over by squirrels this year
Do the kestrels not eat squirrels? Aussie here so l have no idea of this behaviour between them but l thought kestrels were birds of prey.
Squirrels weigh twice as much as Kestrel’s So they are not capable of catching them
@@RobertEFuller thank you very much for your reply. I didn't know that. 🌼
How did the American squirrel get over to the UK in the 19th century?
Yes thank u, enjoyed video + others u make. Seems to be the "mystery of life," why such a perfect symbiotic system of nature was created on Earth & then the human species added, to screw it up, e.g. who 'transported' grey squirrels to UK where nature hadn't designed them to be?
I know humans have made a bit of a mess
Pesky squirrels. If they're not raiding your bird feeder they're evicting kestrels or owls!
Leave them alone, they got to live too
grey squirrels will reign. it is the triumph of the cutest
I'm surprised that the kestrel didn't take advantage of the home food delivery.
Maybe it's time to make some more nest boxes ! 😊
That isn’t a solution for and invasive species they shouldn’t be encouraged in anyway
Yeah, I can't blame the guy for wanting to boot them out of the nest.
Why can't the squirrels have the nest in the kestrals off season? That don't make sense to oust them when the breeding season doesn't seem to overlap. Isn't that what animals do anyway? 🤔
I believe the nest they took was theirs carved out by them their parents and grandparents
Have you watched the full video
I made the nest for the kestrel’s definitely not for grey squirrels
Why aren't the squirrels exterminated if they're considered invasive?
I do have to control squirrel numbers each winter
But this takes time and dedication which I don’t have in the summer months
Babies are coming. Squirrel babies.
it's sad for the kestrels if they don't have enough variation in size/strength to adapt to the bountiful food opportunities provided by the invasive grey squirrels.
Well. Well. U know what I have to say to this video. HUMANS:;Stop cutting down the woods and then the squirrels would have somewhere to go. WHY ONLY BUILD PLACES FOR THE BIRDS???? SQUIRRELS ARE JUST IMPORTANT
I did not expect squirrels to be that intimidating to push out both an owl and kestrel out of a nest. You think as a prey animal, the squirrel would give up and run away seeing a Bird of Prey.
Birds of prey need to swoop down from above to catch them from behind. But in a close quarters situation like in that nest, the feisty squirrel has the advantage.
I would have thought the larger birds would eat the squirrels
why dont the birds eat the squirells?
even the squirrels get their own persepective
How the hell is a squirrel scaring off kestrels and owls? Are squirrels like prime food for these predators? I'm so confused...
We have ground squirrels. There are holes everywhere.
dont they eat them?
No grey Squirrels are formidable opponents
@ oh, what about a hawk? eagle?
@@raginromans Goshawks are a rare sight, there aren't many eagles in England, sparrowhawks tend to go after birds (and mammals smaller than grey squirrels), and buzzards and kites are better adapted to soaring in open areas than flying through forests and woodland.
The reintroduction of the pine marten would be able to reduce their numbers (pine martens evolved alongside red squirrels so the grey squirrels wouldn't have the same sort of caution towards them, spend more time on the ground and be more likely to be eaten than the red squirrels).
Humans can eat them. I've heard they are very gamey, though. As humans, we should take responsibility for this crazy mix-up.
So... anyone have any good recipes for Starlings and Squirrels?
I've only seen youngish squirrel siblings play like that. Squirrels mating is more like a mob of males chasing a female around during the one day she is in heat.
И чем же вы хотели управлять? Какой силой? Управляйте, вот он я. Перед вами 😊
I will rename this "Robert vs Grey Squirrel"
Wouldn't the owl eat the Squirrel
US birder here. How about you take our House Sparrows and we take back your Grey Squirrels.
Sounds like a great deal to me we have too many grey squirrels and House sparrows are in steep decline in the UK
Cradle of Life
05:31 Athena reclaims her nest just in time! With the breeding season approaching, will the kestrels manage to defend their home from persistent squirrels? What’s your prediction?
I control the squirrels number over winter so with help from me hopefully yes
@@RobertEFuller how do you control them?
@ That’s great to hear! It sounds like you play an important role in maintaining the balance. Here’s hoping Athena and her family have a successful season-thanks for sharing!
@@peepzsnap7356 🌮