An Ode to Black Squirrels
Actually, this will not be an ode. Honestly, I’m not entirely sure what an ode is. I know it means something, much like I know that soliloquy, verisimilitude, and aphorism mean something, I’m just not that sure what that is. I’m more of an alliteration, assonance, simile, and metaphor guy, myself.
Instead, this is a request for more black squirrel sightings. Flashback to the map we ran in the October, 2009 issue of NEBRASKAland. I’m interested in hearing all sightings, even if the areas have already been covered on this map. Also, it would not be a tragedy if you began giving me sightings outside of the state.
I want to make a bigger map, one that viewers might see as a hyperbole, but I would of course know it to be true.
Send em’ in.
Black Squirrel Sightings
Black squirrel sighting in Creighton, NE.
Also, we used to see them regularly when we lived in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. That was as recent as 2007.
Thanks Glen. I’ve seen them in MN but haven’t been to WI.
Jeff Kurrus Associate Editor, NEBRASKAland Magazine Read our blog at afieldandafloat.wordpress.com
Lots of them in Aurora. At least on in my own yard.
Have loads of black squirrels in my neighborhood. Was interesting to watch them migrate from one neighborhood to the next, making their way south of the city.
I’m assuming your neighborhood is in Lincoln. And you use the word “migrate.” That’s an interesting term regarding these mammals that comes up again and again.
Jeff Kurrus Associate Editor, NEBRASKAland Magazine Read our blog at afieldandafloat.wordpress.com
I may be reading too much into the map, but based on the way those squirrel icons are positioned in Adams and Lancaster Counties, should we be expecting a lot more black squirrels in those counties soon??
It’s a good point. I just received another comment about these squirrels “migrating.” Migration of squirrels is a topic that comes up throughout the natural history of this animal. But it still doesn’t stop me from taking a second read when someone mentions migrating. There has been much folklore and legend regarding how isolated pockets of this animal can be found, but the migrating part I find quite interesting. Why migrate? And if they are moving, could we, over time, expect them to be in most counties in NE?
Jeff Kurrus Associate Editor, NEBRASKAland Magazine Read our blog at afieldandafloat.wordpress.com
We still have our melanistic phase fox squirrel living on the grounds of the Omaha Office of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Any grays at all?
Saw one at the botanic gardens in Omaha today. They’re a common sight in Council Bluffs, too.
How about east of Council Bluffs?
I see them everytime I drive to my mother’s house – they love the area of 65th – 70th & Logan Streets here in Lincoln. By the way, I have lived in California, Panama, Kansas, Germany, Washington State, and Arizona – and this is the only place I have ever seen black squirrels!
That’s good to know about those other places. Panama??? That’s interesting.
I was in Council Bluffs over the weekend and spotted a black squirrel there! Isn’t it funny how sometimes you never see or hear something until the topic is presented, and then, suddenly, the topic is spotted or heard! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen black squirrels on a regular basis!
Thank you. Council Bluffs is frequently sited. I wonder if there are any more east of Council Bluffs.
I live in Fort Dodge, IA, and have relation near Des Moines. We’ll keeps our eyes and ears open to any black squirrel sightings!
Thanks Glen. I really appreciate it.
I am in downtown Lincoln and we actually have a black squirrel that has recently built a nest in one of the trees in our backyard. It looks fairly young and is oh so cute! I’m from CA and I have never seen a black squirrel before so I was taken aback when I first saw this little guy and almost mistook it for a kitten.
We have several families of black ones in omaha near Cass and 77th cir
Just took some pics of a black squirrel at 45th and Witherbee Blvd (Lincoln).
Saw one sitting on the front porch of my apartment building at 37th & Farnam in Omaha. Was kind of shocked cause I see red or fox squirrels all the time right outside my window. Never seen a black squirrel in my life before this, didn’t even know they were in Nebraska. Pretty cool
I have 2 young black squirrels living in my yard. I just spotted them last week and have see them everyday since. They are still fairly small.
I hope they stay. I’ve never fed squirrels before but I may have to start!
Omaha – South 60th Street
I was visiting my dad in Minden Nebraska over the 4th of July 2011 and a black squirrel was in his walnut tree ! My dad being from the old country was protecting his walnuts with his bb gun which upset me very much ! Are the black squirrels protected ? I told him they were to get him to quit trying to shoot it ! I just have never seen a black squirrel and want to keep it around !
We live on an acreage just 4 miles south of springfield in Nebraska, and just saw our first black squirrel after living here 15 years. He or she came out of the treeline that borders the back side of our property and scampered toward one of our blue spruce. Very cool to finally see one out here!
One big fluffy black squirrel in the tree in my front yard this morning. I have a black cat too and until my second look I thought it was my black cat up in that tree. I live in Beatrice NE- Gage County. I also spotted a few of them in Adams NE last year- also Gage County. They are beautiful.
Spotted a black squirrel in Des Moines, Iowa, this past week! (And it’s REALLY cute!)
I was driving to church on the morning of Feb.19th 2012 and spotted a black squirrel getting ready to cross the road in front of my car! I live in Indianland S.C. Lancaster Co.Very cool to see a black squirrel..A first for me:):):)
I live near 156th & Dodge Street in Omaha, and saw black squirrels in the Cottonwood Park. Love them!
I swear to you their breeding grounds are in Little Falls Mn right in front of Charles Lindberghs childhood home. You cant go there and not see a black squirrel
I would definitely believe it.
I’ve been seeing one black squirrel, but infrequently, in my neighborhood. Each time, I wondered if another would ever turn up. Yesterday there were two running around in my old oak tree. I live in the Rathbone Village area of Lincoln, NE. For the first time, I am going to put out squirrel food to supplement the acorns.
La Salle Street in Lincoln, Nebraska has a lot of black squirrels. They are petitioning for equal representation on the squirrel council.
We spotted at jet black squirrel near the entrance to North Shore at Harlan County Lake this evening (3/29/2013).