Baffled Squirrel

I can always tell the new squirrels coming to the Colvin Run Habitat - they try to reach the top of the bird feeders.

The other squirrels have long ago accepted the baffle that blocks the path, but the new guys always spend 5 or 1o minutes trying anyway.

The squirrel population noticeably peaked in July and demonstrably decreased in August. Possible reasons? The drought, and a likely resultant increase in rabies. August is a time for new born squirrels. And, lastly, the return of the fox, although I have never seen the squirrel population decrease that significantly due to a fox.