Orchard House in Newport has been working to improve the outside space for residents and local wildlife alike.
A number of donations from local neighbour Rose Best have helped the Fairlee Road care home to improve the green space.
Rose donated a beautiful stone birdbath which residents have seen being used by birds for both drinking and bathing. They have also seen the cheeky squirrels using it to drink from too.
They also received a bird table from Rose, which is being kept well stocked to try and tempt feathered friends to the area. Residents have spent time making teacup bird feeders to hang from it too.
The home has also recently purchased 2 squirrel feeders from The Squirrel Trust, which residents have painted to protect it from the weather. Since filling them with hazelnuts and walnuts many of the cheeky chappies have been spotted opening the lids and running off with their bounty.
Residents at Orchard House have been thrilled to see the squirrels every day and have managed to differentiate between 5 of them, so they know they are feeding at least that number.
One day, residents were stunned to see a black squirrel running along the veranda! After some research, it has been discovered that some baby red squirrels are born black and will turn red at around 1-2 years of age.
Resident, Bill, said:
“It was amazing to see the tiny little squirrel, as black as the ace of spades – very curious indeed.”
General Manager, Kim Fleming, said:
“There has been much excitement as the local squirrels have been spotted taking nuts from our feeders, which we bought from the Squirrel Trust, and are specially designed for Red Squirrels.”
