Super squirrel goes for nuts and glory

Jun 27 2008 By Mandy Simpson, The Journal

A CRAFTY red squirrel did some nifty turns and stunts in order to get his gnashers round some crackers.

The adventurous animal spent weeks negotiating the twists and turns of the garden furniture at Sue Britton’s house in Darlington before attempting his first run.

Now the not-so-secret squirrel is a regular who has amazed wildlife fans in the area.

Ms Britton said: ”I was just sitting in the living room looking out the window when I saw a squirrel trying to get to the nuts we put out for the birds.

“Then we put hanging baskets up, and you could see him looking at the flowers to see if it would help him get to the nuts.

“Then one afternoon, he came toddling along into the garden and jumped up to the rail and on to the baskets, he lets the basket swing until he gets enough momentum then jumps to the bird feeders.”

Ms Britton, 48, has nicknamed him Cyril and says he pops in every day.

“He normally turns up in the morning for what must be his breakfast, then he comes back all through the day sometimes about five or six times, but he prefers crackers to nuts.”

Cyril the squirrel appears to like the challenge of getting the nuts because he even ignores the other deadly creatures that lurk in the background.

“We have three cats who love to be in our garden, but when Cyril comes in they seem to run and hide and just sit and watch him,” said Sue.

“He’s a brave little thing, because he’s not fazed by the cats or any of the dogs in the area where we live.”

It is unusual to see a red squirrel as far south as Darlington.

Because of the spread of the more dominant grey squirrels, Northumberland and parts of the Lake District are the last refuge of the native red squirrel in England.