Red Squirrels Harvesting Spruce Cones
Red Squirrels Harvesting Spruce Cones. 19 September 2021, 8am, Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area near Ithaca, New York. Recorded by Lang Elliott. Image AI-gen.
Note: The recording featured here is a "3D binaural soundscape". Please wear headphones for a profound listening experience that will make you think you're actually out there, immersed in the natural world!
One early autumn day, I visit a Norway Spruce stand and quickly discover the trees are alive with Red Squirrel activity. The squirrels are busy cutting cones from limbs high in the canopy and then dropping them to the ground. As cones fall, they hit multiple limbs, producing a series of snapping or whacking sounds before landing on the ground with a hollow, resonant thud.
At times, squirrels give harsh chatters, their territorial call. And at one point, I hear a long string of high chip notes, probably signifying alarm, but it is unclear what creature might be causing it. I am captivated by this unique soundscape, a superb audio expression of an important stage in the squirrel’s annual cycle.
More Information
Red Squirrels do not hibernate and are attracted to Norway Spruce because this introduced species produces large cones containing robust seeds that provide an excellent source of nutrition during the winter months.
After dropping a number of cones to the ground, a squirrel will transport them to its “midden,” which is a pile of hundreds (sometimes thousands) of cones often placed near a large tree trunk where there are hollowed-out areas among the roots.
In winter, a squirrel digs into its midden to retrieve a cone and then hauls it to the top of the mound for a meal. There it snips off the cone’s scales to release the seeds, leaving the central spine behind.
I really love the acoustics of this recording. The sound-stage is wide, with cones falling all around at a fairly steady pace. And I am surprised and thrilled at the highly resonant plops and snaps, which add an element of surprise, especially when a cone drops close to the microphone. I've recorded red squirrels dropping cones at several other locations, but this one is by far the best of the bunch.
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Such industriousness. I really enjoy your observations of the natural world and its many inhabitants. When I am in the woods or out and about, I like to stop every so often and just listen.
Dear Lang,
Nice coincidence that I am listening to your wonderful recording just after making this discovery two days ago while camping in the Adirondacks! Using binoculars, I saw that it was not a woodpecker pecking away pieces of bark, but that it was a red squirrel, going from branch to branch, releasing those pine cones to the ground! Thank you for another great soundscape!
Very unique, Lang. Love it!
This is so cool! Red squirrels are quite rare in southeast Ohio so I’ve never experienced this soundscape. Not sure it’d be good for sleeping haha!! But such fun! Nice to hear the red-breasted nuthatch in there as well.
Such an interesting audio. I can visualize what the squirrel is doing.
It IS comforting! We forget how hard they have to work to store food when we rarely see it. When your recordings show up in my inbox, I close my eyes and pretend I am there. With a big smile on my face.
This is somehow very comforting. It captures sounds that convey food and sustenance in the coming cold. It almost sounds like sitting in front of a popping wood stove
Thanks for you many great posts. Including falling falling Spruce cones
What great fun to listen! Love Red Squirrels and that harsh chatter call that gives them away…wish they lived in our region. Thank You!
I could hear a squirrel sounding. It’s actually relaxing to hear them work and their chatter. Fall is coming fast, and my Red Squirrel friends will be near to greet me in the mornings as I feed the birds all winter.
Thanks for sharing.
I love this!
Sounds like nature’s batting practice! The cones hitting branches are the crack of the bat against the ball, and the thuds are the ball socking into the catcher’s mitt.
I would know that sound anywhere. The thunk is louder when it hits the car, and I swear they sometimes aim. Rascals!
I hope you had a Hard Hat and some armor out there!