A loud chirping noise high in the trees is often the first indication that grey squirrels are about. They happily run along slender twigs and leap from tree to tree. Sometimes they do lose their footing and fall to the ground. This is not as drastic as it sounds as they can land safely from heights of about ten metres.

Although a native of eastern United State's hardwood forests, it is now one of Britain's most familiar and frequently seen mammals. The grey squirrel was first introduced to Britain during the mid 1800's and eventually established itself in the wild. This versatile animal will eat a wide range of foodstuffs; nuts, acorns, beech-mast, fungi, bark, leaves, shoots, buds and flowers. It's no wonder that it is so successful. Most people find their behaviour quite endearing but commercial foresters consider them to be a significant pest.