The Quest

To my Grand Daughter, Ariel

Blackie and Grey resided in a treed neighbourhood in Burlington. Their daily activities kept them busy locating food, finding a suitable place to build a nest, playing in the trees and nearby park. A favourite haunt was to climb brick walls on apartment buildings. With their small sharp claws, this was an easy feat as they would quickly scale them to gain access to the many balconies. What JOY! What FUN!

There were plants into which they could dig in the soil...a wonderful place “to nest”. Scurrying away they searched for string, twine, paper, twigs and small branches...even a lost glove. These, they readily hauled to the balcony of choice. Food was also waiting...the leaves of plants! Even a few humans would place food on their balconies for these hungry squirrels...they were so cute...bushy tails curled over their backs, small beady black eyes...here was “nature” so close to observe! This building was an exciting discovery for Blackie and Grey.

The following summer they playfully would sneak and crawl onto the balconies and reseek their niches for potential nests and food. Sad for them, the humans were smart and took their plants inside...due to further destruction and almost-death with the leaves stripped causing the plants to be deprived of their gorgeous blooms-to-be... including my hibiscus plants and hanging baskets of flowers. So the search continued for food. Sadly, also was that the tenants of their apartments were told, “Do Not Feed The Squirrels!”

Blackie and Grey were desperate for food from this vast “food bank”.

One sunny morning a woman was at her computer reading and sending e-mails. When she left her desk, she was surprised to find a small grey squirrel sitting on her Indian carpet...bushy tail, beady startled eyes and in a state of shock that “he had been caught” in this Break and Enter! She wondered “how” he gained access to her apartment. The balcony door, although open, had a screen door fully closed. In fright, Grey hurriedly ran to another room...her bedroom...probably under the bed. Quick thinking, she chair-propped the screen door open for his escape, then opened her apartment front door into the hallway, considering that he could easily be caught...after she called “the Super”. She searched the bedroom, but Grey could not be found. Then going to the balcony again, there he was in “startled fright”. Clapping her hands, he clamoured down the wall in a hasty retreat! In the hallway, she found “the Super” in charge and related the incident. A gentleman on a lower floor had a similar experience, she was told...a squirrel had torn a hole in his bedroom window screen.

The woman still questioned how Grey arrived in Her Apartment! With morning coffee in hand to enjoy on the balcony, she had another surprise! She saw Blackie...two apartments over and one floor below, attacking a bedroom window screen with his busy little claws. Also, in view was another bedroom window with drapes waving through into the airy breeze...No Screen!!!

She checked her Living Room window...no broken screen. Her bedroom window showed about a three-inch hole roughly torn, large enough for Grey's entry into her apartment in his search for food? for nesting materials? or just to explore?

The following morning at 6:30 she was awakened by strange noises and realized that one of her squirrel acquaintances must be attempting to re-enter. Yes! She banged her hand on the window to scare him then firmly closed it. Within a few days, the screen was replaced.

Resounding in her mind was the advice given on a memo to all tenants. “Do Not Feed The Squirrels and Other Wildlife” near and around your home. They can be a nuisance and destructive. Let Nature provide for them.

Ariel, the above story is true. This “Break and Enter” was experienced by your Grand Mother last week. Two beautiful hibiscus plants, enjoying the summer atmosphere and climate, had been destroyed. No more could she purchase hanging baskets of flowers to adorn her balcony.


Merle Baird-Kerr
August 1, 2009