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This was the 31st year counting the gray and albino squirrels in Olney. The count was coordinated by Olney City Clerk Belinda Henton. During the three weeks of the count, there were approximately 66 different volunteers who canvassed the 34 areas and counted the squirrels and cats, consisting of students from Olney Central College, East Richland High School, St. Joseph School and volunteers from the community. The annual squirrel count was scheduled for three Saturdays beginning at 7:30 a.m. on October 10, October 17 and October 24.

Upon averaging data from the three counting dates, there were 822 gray squirrels, 111 albino squirrels, 16 fox squirrels and 95 cats. Compared to 2008, the gray squirrels decreased 11.03%, the albino squirrels decreased by 17.77%. The cats increased by 11.76%. The gray to albino ratio in 2008 was 6.84 to 1 compared to the gray to albino ratio in 2009 of 7.41 to 1 which is an ongoing concern.

Weather was favorable for all three counting dates, but the largest obstacle to organizing the count was finding enough volunteers to cover all routes. During the first week there was one route not counted, the second and third week there were two routes not counted. All routes were counted at least twice during the three-week period.

Several reports were received again this year concerning foxes in residential neighbors preying on squirrels. This is the second year these comments had been received. More and more predators such as hawks, foxes and cats are supplementing their diets on squirrel inside the city limits. If the white squirrel population is to continue in Olney, the community must become more vigilant to protect the squirrels. Citizens need to make their properties uninviting to these predators. This means not allowing access to pet food outdoors and enclosing out buildings so animals cannot use them as shelter and a place to raise their young. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has made available an informational handout with tips and suggestions on how to make buildings inaccessible to wild animals. This handout is available at City Hall. Citizens also need to report stray cats to the Richland County Animal Control. If stray cats are trapped by residents, they can be taken to the Richland County Animal shelter.

Some suggestions on ways to encourage the squirrel population are:

• Feed and water the squirrels generously. Additional food offered by residents is essential to maintain the squirrel population. Appropriate supplemental food would be corn, beans, nuts, seeds, berries and fruits. Greasy, fried and salty foods are not appropriate. In the spring the squirrels eat buds and sprouts of trees which are their primary foods, but more volunteers are needed to feed the squirrels their appropriate diet, especially in the crucial winter months.
  
• While driving be watchful of squirrels near the roadway and slow down in areas of large concentrations of squirrels. Many of these areas are marked with “Squirrel Crossing” signs. Traffic fatalities continue to account for the loss of many healthy squirrels.
  
• Predators such as cats need to be controlled. Chapter 6 of the City of Olney Municipal Code restricts dogs and cats from running at large. The Richland County Animal Control Officer should be contacted for nuisance cats and dogs. This chapter also protects the squirrels from being taken from Olney. The word “take” as defined in the code has many meaning such as capturing, trapping or harassing.
  
• More nut and fruit trees need to be planted to help with a natural food source. Residents with mature nut bearing trees should be reminded these trees do the squirrels no good if their nuts are raked up in the fall and thrown away with the leaves. Fallen nuts can be a nuisance or even unsafe at times, but if the nuts must be picked up, residents are asked to place them in a nearby location that may be less objectionable such as a fence row or given to someone who is willing to feed the squirrels. The mature nut trees act as a grocery store for the squirrels which is only open for a short period of time during the year. Olney needs more nut trees for the long run. Studies have shown when there are fewer trees there are also few squirrels.
  
• Additional squirrel houses would help shelter squirrels in severe weather and while raising their young. There are several places in town to purchase squirrel houses. Information on specific places to purchase a squirrel house can be obtained at City Hall.
  
• Avoid cutting down trees during the times which babies are in their nests. Squirrels are usually born in February or March and do not leave their nests until May and another litter is usually born in July or August and do not leave until October. If at all possible, avoid cutting trees in February, March April, July, August and September.
  
• If a baby squirrel appears to be abandoned by its mother, residents are asked to leave it for a period of time because it might be possible to reunite the baby with its mother. During this waiting period the area should be free from children, pets and other predators. The period of time the baby should be left to wait for its mother will depend mostly on weather conditions. Also, during this time a wildlife rehabilitator should be called for assistance. Belinda Henton continues to hold a Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources can be contacted concerning orphaned white squirrels.

If a conscious effort is made by the residents to observe these suggestions, Olney’s white squirrel population should survive many more years.

Belinda Henton would like to extend a special thanks to all the volunteers who helped with this project. Without them the project would not be possible. The annual count is very important part to monitoring the squirrel population. Next year’s count is scheduled for October 9, 16 and 23, 2010. It’s never too early to volunteer for the next count!