Relocation Moratorium

The Project is observing a relocation moratorium and allowing the squirrels free reign of the neighborhood. Enjoy your summer, but watch out for the dogs!

We Score a Score! Squirrel #20 Relocated!

Squirrel #20 was captured around midday today. Once again the crafty critter could not resist the siren call of Safeway "O" organic crunchy peanut butter, the only bait endorsed by the CRSRP.

Despite earlier attempts at creating a new sanctuary on the Kodiak College campus, The Yellow Porcupine, baiter, transporter and chief administrator of the CRSRP has decided to continue to use the Near Island Squirrel Sanctuary. Today's healthy specimen of Tamiasciurus hudsonicus was released at SRA Delta (pictured below), used the for the first time.
On a day when both Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett have passed and Mark Sanford has done his bit to promote tourism in Argentina, we pause to remember the many squirrels who have spent time, however brief, with us here on Cliffside Road. May they prosper in their new homes and hope that Sarah Palin doesn't support aerial squirrel shooting.

Note Vito's apparent lack of interest in #20 - after you've seen twenty squirrels, it's pretty hard to get too excited any more.



Squirrel Release Area (SRA) Delta



Squirrel Twenty shortly before release; note the peanut butter on the trigger.

UPDATE: June 24 2009: Vito and the Cats

One squirrel was observed yesterday, being stalked by an orange, long-haired cat that is new to the neighborhood. We've also got a short-haired calico hanging around attempting to bond with our cat, Vito, who is not allowed outside. (Save the Songbirds). Monday night we awoke to the calico sitting outside our bedroom window, nose-to-nose with Vito on the inside.
It appears that these cats are keeping the squirrels at bay - as CRSRP staff will be departing for botany surveys in the KNWR, we hope feline deterrence will continue.

Squirrel #19 Captured; New Squirrel Sanctuary Chosen

The CRSRP has quickly ramped up to active status with the apprehension of squirrel #19 on Friday, June 19.
Project Director The Yellow Porcupine has boldly moved forward with the designation of the Kodiak College campus as an Alaska Red Squirrel Sanctuary. This decision allows the team to reduce both squirrel transport time and its overall carbon footprint.
We are cautiously optimistic that the two mile distance from the project site will prevent squirrels from returning. However, the lack of an obstacle such as the Near Island Channel may not deter returnees, so recidivism rates will be monitored.
As always, peanut butter remains the best enticement to luring squirrels into the Havahart live trap. The Project, of course, only uses organic peanut butter.

CRSRP Team back from hiatus

The team has been away from the area and disabled the trap. The trap is now active and awaiting its next red squirrel.

THE DAILY DOUBLE!! For the Second Time!

While gazing out the kitchen window and enjoying a refreshing beverage, CRSRP Executive Director, The Yellow Porcupine, observed squirrel #18 trip the trap. Time: 1332 hours.
Eighteen was loaded, transported, and released in SRA Charlie where he proceeded to give his transporter a piece of his squirrel mind. It is believed that the red squirrels have declared jihad on CRSRP. The threat level is now Jif.
No photos are available for squirrel 18.

17th Squirrel Captured After Taunting CRSRP Personnel

Number 17 showed up this morning and proceeded to taunt CRSRP personnel who were patrolling the area. As a result, the Havahart trap was baited with extra tasty crunchy peanut butter which the rogue could not resist. Captured and relocated to SRA Baker at 1100 hours


Trap at SRA Baker just prior to squirrel release:

Squirrel #16 Apprehended - No End in Sight

Two days of inactivity ended today when squirrel #16 "Richard Parker" was trapped, transported and released at 1010 hours. He was released at Squirrel Release Area Charlie (SRA Charlie)

SRA Charlie:

June 1: A Squirrel Free Day!!!

June 1 was the first squirrel free day in almost a week. Participants in the CRSRP are enjoying the respite from transport and relocation duties.
This morning, June 2, has been quiet with no squirrel activity observed.

CRSRP HITS THE DAILY DOUBLE! Total Trapped Squirrels is now 15!

Sunday morning I awoke a little before 0700 and looked out the window to see squirrel #14 caught in the Havahart trap. I drove the little bugger to Squirrel Release Area (SRA) Baker to start his new life. There was insufficient time to determine the squirrel's name.
Note that the CRSRP is now using two new SRAs because noted local biologist S. Studebaker has suggested that SRA Alpha is probably at or exceeding its carrying capacity.
Upon returning home, I reset the trap. Within the hour, squirrel #15, "Donaldo", had been apprehended. Donaldo was transported to SRA Charlie where, it is assumed, he is now residing.
Current activity appears to be low, but like Mount Redoubt, things can ramp up at any time.
Squirrel #14

SRA Baker on Near Island

Squirrel #15 "Donaldo"

SRA Charlie on Near Island