[baboonworld]

Boo hoo! There are no squirrels in NZ!

(unless someone has found some but i never saw any in 22 years)

I am really going to miss squirrels - and foxes!


I live on the edge of an old quarry (dont worry it is quite safe) and often see squirrels and the odd fox.

The first time i saw squirrels was in Edinburg - there was a park near the train/bus station and it was full of them.

I will really miss squirrels!

(possums just arent the same and make a lot more mess on the road!)

[driver]

I was only saying yesterday that I won't miss em at all!!!! Eating every bulb I plant and all the flowers off my trees and shrubs to get to the nectar. aaarggghhh!! I really don't like them. As for foxes, don't get me started!!! One came and killed all my chickens in one night and left the lot for me to find in the morning. Didn't even take one to eat! They are just killing machines and a real pest, stinking out my garden with their spray.

Sorry I feel better now after getting that off my chest. I'm sure they are both cuddly really.

[jubjub]

D'ya know, I did not even realise they weren't here until we spent a day in the park and did not see any, it was only then that I twigged!

[Moorf]

Give me a squirrel over a possum anyday!! Little beggars (sorry, BIG beggars....) :mad:

[marcia]

Awwwwww No squirrels. :no

We have a couple of 'resident' squirrels, they bury their nuts all over our garden and have even been into the garage for a poke around when Kev is out there with the doors wide open.

Kev has been getting a bit cross with them at he moment 'cos he has laid new turf in the garden and they keep lifting the edges to hide nuts underneath.

He's banned the boys from playing on it but he can't ban the squirrels!!! :laugh

Shame i'll miss them they are sweet!

[jonSE]

Maybe they should introduce red squirrels to NZ before they become extinct in the UK. Then again maybe not - it 's crazy ideas like that caused the demise of NZ's most famous recent extinctions

[RobDickinson]

I'm going to miss the native wildlife of the Uk but honestly I didnt see that much off it day to day anyhow...

[Going2NZ]

I have a squirrel-obsessed dog who is going to be very disappointed...wonder what she can find to replace them?

[Moorf]

I have a squirrel-obsessed dog who is going to be very disappointed...wonder what she can find to replace them?



POSSUMS!

Except they do more damage to your dog if they actually manage to catch one :(

[Going2NZ]

Not to worry! In all her years of squirrel-obsession she's never actually CAUGHT one.

[Stu]

Oh, she may be able to catch a possum or two, they are not that hard for a dog to catch. They are mean little bugers though,but when it comes to Dog vs possum, dog wins, hands down.

Just don't let the dog get stuck in to eating etc the possums, they are TB carriers.

cheers, Stu.
Oh yes, and way less "cute" than squirrels.

[Simon & Emily]

Ok folks, I've been wondering for a while what native UK wildlife won't be in NZ (sad person that I am :o ). Are there any other creatures that we may look back and think about with nostalgia? What about hedgehogs?

Emily

[Moorf]

Lots of hedgehogs here!

Not sure on foxes - haven't seen one - usually saw them as roadkill in the UK but they're replaced by squashed possums here!

[Stu]

Nope no foxes, although there are plenty of those in Aussie.
We have hedgehogs, no worries.
No squirrels.
No Badgers.
No, or very very few pigeons.

We DO have
ferrets, weasels and stoats. (they are pests)
Mats and Rice... I mean ,rats and mice, definitely.
approximately 15 quintillion rabbits.
Hares.
Swans.
Ducks
Wild pigs
Deer
Thar
Chamois
Wallabies (yes, we do!)
Geese... both Canada and Paradise
Hawks.

In the rivers,
Rainbow and brown trout
Rudd, Perch, tench, carp and catfish in assorted areas.

That help? Oh, and we do have a native owl, the Morepork.

cheers, Stu.

[Simon & Emily]

Thanks Stu. OK, I've found the Thar - a kind of snow bound mountain goat, but what on earth is a Chamois?

Emily

[Stu]

The french version of the Thar basically, only smaller. Little prong horns, not the big heavy ones of the Thar (Thar being Himalayan I think, Chamois from the Alps/pyranees)

NZ actually had the worlds best populations of Thar and Chamois, which were highly endangered in the wild in their home ranges.. so of course, our D.o.C. started an extermination campaign. Typically one eyed and blinkered actions by that bunch of bureaucratic no-hopers.

A LOT harder to find Thar and Chamois nowadays sadly. There goes anotehr great little potential tourism earner (hunting). Sighhhhhh.......

Chamois used to make really soft leather, the "shammy" is still an NZism for a soft leathery squeegie, ideal for washing cars etc.
cheers, Stu.

[Simon & Emily]

We too have the shammy leather to clean cars and so on, but I never knew it came originally from a specific animal. I just thought it was any old leather :laugh

Thanks Stu - you learn something everyday.

Emily

[baboonworld]

There are pigeons in NZ - i have been sh*t upon many a time in Wgtn!

[Simon & Emily]

I still think Diny wins the prize though, for being christened by a possum :laugh :laugh :laugh

[bozandhelen]

We DO have
..
approximately 15 quintillion rabbits.
..


AWWWWW... Bunnies !!!!