How to figure out if a park has enough natural food?

[Rocky1]

Does anyone have a technique for figuring out if a park has enough natural food to support it's squirrel population? Too little natural food vs enough?

[Charley Chuckles]

I'm going to figure if squirrels are populating a park then they are there for food and shelter 👍

[Rocky1]

Replies are also welcome by PM.

I was not aware that this was one of the threads people could view publicly. Purpose is to either counter arguments that a park has too many squirrels or figure out a solution if it truly is. Park is in the middle of a city so there is nowhere else for the squirrels to go on their own.

[Rocky1]

I went through the food pyramid list and the park has a few oak trees so some of the squirrels can theoretically eat the parts of the trees high enough that humans have not interfered with sprays. Other than that, I think every other form of vegetation has been treated with pesticides.

I would like to stop feeding them as it is time consuming, expensive, and against park rules, but I am feeling an emotional and moral obligation not to remove my support until I can reasonably believe that they will be okay without me.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

I went through the food pyramid list and the park has a few oak trees so some of the squirrels can theoretically eat the parts of the trees high enough that humans have not interfered with sprays. Other than that, I think every other form of vegetation has been treated with pesticides.

I would like to stop feeding them as it is time consuming, expensive, and against park rules, but I am feeling an emotional and moral obligation not to remove my support until I can reasonably believe that they will be okay without me.

Thank you for caring so much about these Squirrels, Rocky1! May I ask about what foods you are providing for your Park Squirrels?
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Rocky1]

Me: In-shell nuts only.
Others: All kinds of stuff, including things I don't approve of.

I am almost ready to stop feeding, but need to address 2 injured squirrels first. I may return from time to time to monitor them. I would like to make sure squirrel pox does not make a come back after last winter's epidemic (in which we lost no squirrels!!!). I would like to see if any are injured or need help. I may attempt to reduce predators: enforce leash requirement by talking to people, 311, environmental police (and explaining the problem to them, rehabbers pay vet bills, wild pet squirrels, etc.), etc. I can control hawks to an extent with a bright flashlight and making the squirrel alarm when the hawk flys.

When visiting the park, I sometimes need to do a little feeding or the squirrels will follow me.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Me: In-shell nuts only.
Others: All kinds of stuff, including things I don't approve of.

I am almost ready to stop feeding, but need to address 2 injured squirrels first. I may return from time to time to monitor them. I would like to make sure squirrel pox does not make a come back after last winter's epidemic (in which we lost no squirrels!!!). I would like to see if any are injured or need help. I may attempt to reduce predators: enforce leash requirement by talking to people, 311, environmental police (and explaining the problem to them, rehabbers pay vet bills, wild pet squirrels, etc.), etc. I can control hawks to an extent with a bright flashlight and making the squirrel alarm when the hawk flys.

When visiting the park, I sometimes need to do a little feeding or the squirrels will follow me.

Thank you Rocky1 for your caring about and for these Park Squirrels and also for being there for them!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel