Results of the 2007 Brevard Squirrel Count

     Under the supervision of the Heart of Brevard, community volunteers conducted the 11^th Annual Brevard Squirrel Count this past Fall.   The Count is not meant to be a true census but rather an estimate of the percentage of the white versus the gray variant of the Eastern Gray Squirrel.   This year’s estimate of 33.3% is the highest on record but very close to last year’s 32.5%.

     The receny increase could be the result of changes in procedure designed to encourage participation.  We extended the time interval from October to October through December.  Less activity in December created smaller sample sizes and correspondingly less reliability of estimates made from the samples.  However, the higher percentage was evident in the early samples as well as those concluded later and though the percentage is higher, it is not far from the 26.1% eleven-year average.  Overall abundance of squirrels, white and gray, was also higher this year than last.

     Whatever the reason, Brevard’s white squirrels would seem to be doing well as we prepare for the Fifth Annual White Squirrel Festival.  Hot spots include the southeast margins of the study area near Brevard Elementary and McCrary Acres and the northern most sector surrounding Brevard Middle School.  We want to thank the volunteers who conducted the 10^th annual count:  .  If you would be interested in participating in future counts or in becoming a designated Squirrel Spotter for your neighborhood contact Madrid Zimmerman, Director of the Heart of Brevard, or Bob Glesener (862-3231), Director of the White Squirrel Reseach Institute.

     And don’t forget to mark Memorial Day on your calendar to attend the upcoming festival.