That Ball Of Leaves In Your Arkansas Tree Is Not A Birds Nest

Have you ever noticed a large clump of leaves way up high in a tree and wondered, how big is the bird in there? There is a very good possibility it is not a bird at all.

I know, color me shocked as well.

I always thought it was some kind of larger bird breed like a hawk or eagle or maybe one of those cowbirds. Who knew where they hang around, sift through cow patties, nest, and raise baby cowbirds? I sure didn't.

Bats?

Bats crossed my mind, if only for a split second or two, and then I remembered, that bats are obviously hanging around in my belfry. I wonder what the heck a belfry is?

After regaining my sanity a bit, the next thought seemed actually feasible... RACCOONS! Of course, those playful little bandits with opposable thumbs, that has to be it.

Wrong again Scooter.

So what is the critter making those leafy bundles of nesty-joy in your trees?

Squirrels!

That's right, those cute little, tail-swishing, bird seed-stealing pests, squirrels. The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture website states that of the 200 species of squirrels, the kind we find in Arkansas are;

The Eastern Gray Squirrel is the most common, the Fox (Red) Squirrel is the largest and the Southern Flying Squirrel.

As for the nesting in trees, the experts say the nests are called a "drey," and are usually built of twigs, leaves, grass, and anything else they can find to drag over 30 feet up the tree.

So, if you didn't know before, now you do.

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