4 month old squirrel got outside!!

[hoda]

Absolutely panicking here, appreciate any help as soon as possible!! Long story short, one of the squirrels (the boy) got outside through the window and I've no idea how to find him!!

I've let the 3 squirrels have run of the room which is upstairs (second story) and there's a window that looks over the yard. I have the window about half open with a screen in... Earlier today I went up to feed them formula and the window had been pushed open. I'm not sure how to explain it, it's an old window and basically the top of it had been pushed out so there was about 2-3 inches of space, and there were some pellets of squirrel poop inside it so I know he went (or fell) down the gap. He could have gotten out at any point in the night or this morning, all I know for sure is that last night when I checked on them the window was secure.
There's a small roof landing outside the window and there are squirrel pellets there too. From that landing he could have either a) tried to climb up to the rest of the roof (which would have been very difficult because it's a vertical climb on the side of the house) or b) tried to jump to a tree branch that's about a foot away (the tree branches are very small, more like twigs, so I don't know that they would have supported him) or c) tried to jump down (it's about a 9 or 10 foot drop and my biggest fear right now is that he fell and was injured)
I've gotten up onto the roof and I don't see him, and I've gotten as far as I can up that tree and don't see him (there are several others but they aren't near the roof), and I've scoured the area below the landing and I haven't seen him. I've also checked under the cars and bushes and around the yard.
I've got a couple pople picking up 2 live traps from the store for me right now and so far all I can think to do is put some of their bedding/toys and things inside and hope he smells them. Please give me ANY advice I'm absolutely panicking! We have many cats around here!

[TubeDriver]

Walk around and look for him....frequently. He will not be too far from your house, probably in a nearby tree.

[cava]

If any of the squirrels I have had hear my hand going into a bag they think they're getting a treat. Do you have something you do that makes them come running? A sound, a call, a word, etc? Try all of those things.

[hoda]

Walk around and look for him....frequently. He will not be too far from your house, probably in a nearby tree.
He's in the tree that is visible from the window! He's laying very still but I've seen him move a little and he doesn't seem injured, thank god. Unfortunately it's a very tall tree and he's nearly at the top so I guess n ow it's a waiting game until he decides to come down.. Thank you!

[hoda]

If any of the squirrels I have had hear my hand going into a bag they think they're getting a treat. Do you have something you do that makes them come running? A sound, a call, a word, etc? Try all of those things.
Thank you I've finally spotted him in the top of a tree! He isn't responding to my voice or the noises I make but hopefully he will decide to come down soon.. I set out the 2 live traps, one with graham crackers with peanut butter and the other with some blankets from their nest and I've been sitting in a chair under the tree waiting with a few snacks and a blanket in case he comes down. I could also go inside and watch from there I'm just not sure if he'd be more or less likely to come down if I'm here.

[SophieSquirrel]

Thank you I've finally spotted him in the top of a tree! He isn't responding to my voice or the noises I make but hopefully he will decide to come down soon.. I set out the 2 live traps, one with graham crackers with peanut butter and the other with some blankets from their nest and I've been sitting in a chair under the tree waiting with a few snacks and a blanket in case he comes down. I could also go inside and watch from there I'm just not sure if he'd be more or less likely to come down if I'm here.

I am sure he is probably just scared being outside for the first time, just stick with it. I have never been to ND but I am sure the winter comes on quick and is relentlessly brutal. I assume you were planning on overwintering before the escape?

[Diggie's Friend]

Glad to read you have spotted him. What kind of squirrel is this, a Fox squirrel or a Red pine squirrel?

[hoda]

Glad to read you have spotted him. What kind of squirrel is this, a Fox squirrel or a Red pine squirrel?

Thank youu, I have great news, he's finally safe and sound in the cage! :)
I'm not sure what kind of squirrel he is actually, I added a picture of the three of them.. He is in the middle there :)

303667

[hoda]

I am sure he is probably just scared being outside for the first time, just stick with it. I have never been to ND but I am sure the winter comes on quick and is relentlessly brutal. I assume you were planning on overwintering before the escape?

Thank you! Actually I was planning to take them to a wildlife place in Wisconsin last week, but things got kind of hectic so I put it off... I would have released them here but loads of cats have moved in and it would feel like letting them into a lions den..
Winter is rough for sure! Usually we get the first snow around the end of October/beginning of Nov. We usually don't get the soul-crushingly cold weather until January, though it can last and last.

[stepnstone]

Thank youu, I have great news, he's finally safe and sound in the cage! :)
I'm not sure what kind of squirrel he is actually, I added a picture of the three of them.. He is in the middle there :)
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=303667&stc=1


Glad he came back.:w00t They look to be Eastern Greys to me....
Adorable picture btw!

[hoda]

I just wanted to add some details in case anyone is reading this because they're in the same situation (I know I was googling frantically for ideas/tips) - ultimately he would only come back in through the window!
I tried to coax him out of the tree all day with treats, formula etc, even got up the tree on a ladder.. He stayed near me but wouldn't climb onto me.
Luckily I eventually went back upstairs to check on the girls, and it seemed like he was trying to get to the window.. so I got my brother to help me anchor a long piece of wood from the roof to the tree, and as soon as it was secure he ran in the window thank god!
I can't begin to say how relieved I am, I'm not even (too) embarrassed to admit that I shed a few tears of joy lol.. :boohoo His sisters were climbing on him and licking his head too, I think they were all happy to be reunited. Thanks everyone for the help as always! :)

[hoda]

Glad he came back.:w00t They look to be Eastern Greys to me....
Adorable picture btw!

Thank you!! I was happy to finally be able to catch a picture of that pose :)

[cava]

Great job sticking with it! Glad he's back home.

[TubeDriver]

Good job on the rescue!:dance

[Mel1959]

What a wonderful happy ending! :dance. I know how relieved you must have been.

:Love_Icon Your picture of the three of them is priceless. :Love_Icon. I absolutely love the bond that siblings seem to have. I hope they stick together for a while. My brothers that were released a couple years ago stayed together, in my yard, for a long time and slept together both winters. It made my heart happy. :Love_Icon

[kcassidy]

Hooooray!!! So glad you got him back. Eastern Grey Squirrels is what they all are :)

[Scooterzmom]

Sooooo happy to hear the good news! Yippeee!!!!!

[JLM27]

Praise be! I bet he was glad to get home! So typical of sisters to groom like that.