Successful Reunion

[Mel1959]

I just got back from a neighbors house where she had seen an adult squirrel climbing inside a boat motor out on a dock. When they went to investigate the squirrel ran off and they discovered a nest inside the motor with one baby inside. I went over and placed the baby on a blanket on the dock near the boat. Within 15 mins. the mom came back and examined the motor, which now had a cover on it, and saw the baby. She took the baby up a palm tree. Since the nest was destroyed (by the owner of the boat before I got there) what will the mom do for a nest? Will she quickly build one or will she find an abandoned nest? I did notice that there is a drey in a large oak tree at the house next door, but don't know if it's occupied. The baby had some hair, but eyes were still closed. Will they be alright? Is there anything else I can do? Unfortunately, this is one more strike against my neighborhood squirrels. It chewed through some wires inside the motor and the man wasn't very happy. :eek:hissyfit:frustratedx:gun2

[SammysMom]

They will be fine! That is such a great feeling when they return for babies. Good job helping her to get that baby to safety! In general, moms have more than one nest for this very reason. Nests do get wrecked by nature as well as by dopey humans...:shakehead She knows to be prepared!:Love_Icon

[Mel1959]

Thank you, SM. I sure do hope she has another nest. Yes, it made me very happy that they were reunited...and so quickly. When I picked up the baby it was cool, so I warmed it for a couple of minutes before putting it down. The momma had a good nest spot in the motor. It faced west so it would get the late afternoon sun and warm them before nightfall. :serene

[redwuff]

Way toooooo gooooo!!!!!

[island rehabber]

Re-uniting is the BEST outcome of all -- good job! The boat owner? Well, he'll get over it. This past spring we had a female grey trying to build a nest in the boom of our crane. My BF put some oily rags in there and she finally left. :grin2

[pappy1264]

Momma squirrels usually build at least two nests, in case they have to suddenly move, so I am sure she had a backup plan! (She likely was moving them when she was found, as it is very unlikely she only had one baby.) Great job!

[Mel1959]

Pappy, I thought that was normally the case, that there is usually at least 2. The man already had the little one out and laying on some landscape wood chips :eek when I got there and was putting the cover on his boat motor. He had pulled the nest out in pieces and threw it into the canal. :eek. I hope he checked it well! The mother ran off in the opposite direction of where she eventually moved this little one to. She moved it into a tree at the same house.