Direct Evidence:
* Droppings: Small, cylindrical pellets, usually dark brown or black.
* Fur: Loose fur found near their nests, feeding areas, or along their travel routes.
* Tracks: Small, five-toed prints with prominent claws. They can leave distinctive claw marks on soft surfaces like mud or snow.
* Scratch marks: On tree trunks where they've climbed, as well as on branches where they've gnawed.
* Nests: Usually built in tree cavities or dense foliage. They can be large, messy structures made of twigs, leaves, and other materials.
Indirect Evidence:
* Damaged or stripped trees: Grey squirrels often damage trees by stripping bark, gnawing on branches, or burying nuts.
* Scattered nuts or seeds: They often bury their food in the ground and may forget where they've hidden it, leading to scattered caches.
* Damaged bird feeders: Grey squirrels are notorious for raiding bird feeders. They can leave behind signs of chewing and broken parts.
Other Signs:
* Squirrels themselves: You may spot a grey squirrel directly, especially in parks and wooded areas.
* Sighting reports: Other people may have seen a grey squirrel in the same area, providing additional evidence.
The type of evidence you find will depend on the location and time of year. For example, you're more likely to find droppings and fur near a nest site, while damaged trees and scattered nuts are more common in areas where squirrels forage for food.