Available Food for Squirrels during Fall and Winter
If you plan on helping collect this data, please let us know by filling out this short form: auburn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8ff9ko9ERrlXcmW
Thank you for volunteering to do a little extra work! This should not take more than 15-20 minutes and can be done every 1-2 weeks. You will collect data about how long seeds are on the ground for squirrels to eat and bury, as well as look for other potential foods that squirrels could eat during winter. Collecting this data throughout winter and into the spring will allow us to test our assumption that some aspects of climate are impacting the length of the food hoarding season.
Please send any questions to Sarah Wilson at [email protected] or [email protected].
Goals
- Determine length of time during winter when buried food is likely the only food available for squirrels to eat
- Identify potential supplemental food types available throughout winter
Printable Files
Datasheets:
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Instructions:
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Data Submission
Instructions
Please try to collect this data every 1-2 weeks, ideally through early 2022 so we can get a complete idea about food availability for your area!
Step 1.
Pick a tree. You will go back to this same tree every 2 weeks until ~April 2022.
- Look for a hard masting tree (produces hard seeds or nuts)- oak, hickory, beech, pecan, walnut, etc.
- Be able to identify your tree at least to genus.
Record the coordinates of the location on your datasheet.
- For finding coordinates of your location, see “Finding GPS Coordinates for Locations” at Tips and Tricks - Auburn Squirrel Project (weebly.com)
- Record coordinates under “Step 1” on the datasheet. Latitude will be "X_coordinate" and longitude will be "Y_coordinate".
Define a spot of known area under your chosen tree to count seeds. While there are seeds on the ground, use the datasheet labeled "FALL".
- If your location that is not disturbed by mowing or other yard care, you can mark a permanent spot to count at each week. Please note on the data submission survey each time that this plot is permanent.
- If you cannot permanently mark you counting spot, just be sure you are counting at various locations underneath the same tree each time.
- To measure your seed counting area:
- Option 1: Bring a ruler and measure out a square approximately 1m x 1m. Temporarily mark the sides of the square so you have boundaries to count seeds in, sticks would work well.
- Option 2: If you don’t have a ruler with you, use heel-to-toe steps to measure out an area approximately 1m x 1m (~3 x 3 ft). Record how many heel-to-toe steps each side of the square was. Measure how long your shoe is to get the total length in centimeters of each side of the square. This cm length is what you will record in the data submission survey.
- Record the lengths of each side of your square under “Step 1” on the datasheet.
Measure depth of snow on the ground, if applicable.
Note: Once you stop seeding any seeds on the ground, you will skip the step of counting seeds and measuring your square and use the datasheet labeled "WINTER".
Step 2.
Count seeds in your measured out area.
- Look for hard mast (hard-shelled seeds and nuts like acorns, hickory nuts, pecans, walnuts, beech nuts, etc.) on the ground in your square.
- Count and record the number of mature (brown) and immature (green) hard-shelled seeds/nuts are on the ground in your square. Only include seeds in your count that are whole (not cracked or broken). Do not remove them from the square and try to disturb the area as little as possible.
- Identify the types of seeds and nuts to the best of your ability (accurate count is most important, rather than ID). Record "seed type" of unknown seeds as “unknown”.
- Record counts and IDs under “Step 2” on the datasheet. “(M/I)” refers to counting the Mature and Immature seeds.
Step 3.
Look for other potential squirrel foods.
- Walk around your study spot for a few minutes. Record the presence (Yes/No) of any of the potential squirrel foods shown in the chart on the datasheet under "Step 3".
Step 4.
Notes and comments
- Make note of any other potential foods for squirrels in the area. Write a short description of your study area along with any other comments you have about this data collection session.
Step 5.
Submit your data on the data submission survey!
https://auburn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bBdncjUAYwhDzE2
https://auburn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bBdncjUAYwhDzE2