Eliza Waters

I came across an impressive midden in the woods recently, with a large amount of pinecone pieces strewn across the top of a downed tree, at the base of another behind it and all over the ground. It looked like nice mulch!

According to Mary Holland, a Vermont naturalist, American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) ‘practice “larderhoarding” –  collecting green cones in the fall (up to 15,000 or more) and storing them in one place (generally in the middle of their territory) where they are fiercely protected. A large pile (midden) can result, under which new cones are placed. This cool, moist environment keeps the cones sealed, protecting the seeds from being eaten by mammals and insects that are unable to open the cones.  Middens can contain enough food to last one to two seasons.’

I found the squirrel’s entrance hole hidden in the broken base of the downed tree. If you enlarge the photo, you can see the hole near the center and to the right a stash of cones tucked into the hollow.

I can just imagine this little critter enjoying his/her feast while sitting on the log, contentedly listening to the birds and stream burbling below, while keeping watch for a wandering fox or swooping hawk from above. If you would like to see a beautiful photo of a red squirrel, Belinda Grover, a Canadian photographer, took this one.