Protecting young albinos from hawk

[EM Vee]

Hi, everyone. Found this forum while searching for answers to my predicament, and hoping for some good advice. I noticed a couple baby albino squirrels in my backyard tree about a week ago. They are active and playful, or were until a hawk came after them yesterday. I'm so worried about them now and don't know what to do.
I was able to scare the hawk away - it was waiting outside a tree cavity they had taken shelter in. After reading advice online, I hung some CDs on a shepherds hook near the tree and put my patio umbrella by the tree to obstruct the hawk's view.
The squirrels seem scared to venture beyond their tree now, for good reason. I'm afraid they won't get enough to eat, but I don't want to start feeding them and make them dependent on me. They stand out so easily with their white fur; I feel like they are doomed to be eaten by the hawk. Any ideas? I heard about a white squirrel sanctuary in TN. Does anyone know about it?

Thanks!
EM Vee

[redwuff]

Can you take a picture of them. Wondering if they are old enough to be away from Mom. Have you seen a mother squirrel around. Are these babies albino greys or foxers?

If these babies are too young to be without a mom, then getting them into rehab might be an answer.

[Lighten-Up]

Hi EM Vee,

Thanks for caring! I think you've done well so far with the CD's and the umbrella. I'm just speculating that it is also possible that the squirrels haven't wanted to come out of their hiding place because of the new things in their environment that just appeared, the CD's and the umbrella.

Squirrels are so wired to be suspect of anything new, they might need to gain trust of the things you just did to help them. If this is true, than you'll see them out and about soon. I do hope and trust that the CD's will keep the hawk away.

I think the umbrella is a great way to hide them from view from above. I have done this in my own backyard.

It does seem that the white squirrels are at a disadvantage with their coloring, however, IF it were a huge issue, I don't think they would be around long enough to keep reproducing. I would think that nature would see to it that they and their gene were eliminated. The fact that there are quite a few of them makes me think that your little ones have a good chance.

I know how it feels to have a hawk fly though. Take courage, and keep searching for ways to support them. Hopefully some others will have some more ideas. And again, thank you so much for caring. :Love_Icon

[JLM27]

My squirrels are totally immune to new things in the environment around my backyard because their human friend is always doing something. However, they do inspect everything very cautiously when it first appears and won't go too near until they are sure it is not alive. They ignore the CDs now, even if new ones appear because they know they are ok. They bother the hawks because the hawks are always scanning for movement and are confused by the CDs spinning and flashing. I don't think the hawks are afraid of them so much as seriously annoyed.

[Diggie's Friend]

Use an Air Horn (You can get it at Amazon.com, or a local home supply store) It is a small can that is easy to use. It works within about 20 ft. and may work farther out if you aim well using line of sight. They leave every time. This is a simple and effective tool to drive a hawk out of the air space where the squirrels are. The squirrels weren't bothered by it, and continued to frequent my yard.


https://www.amazon.com/Air-Horn-misc-wb-Aerosol/dp/B002DG967W

[Anne]

That air horn will really endear you to your neighbors if you live in town!