Podcast: Sounds of black squirrels
For some 11,000 years the black squirrel has been Denmark’s “the king of the trees”. The black squirrel was once an endangered colour variant of the European red squirrel, but a “rescue mission” has now secured its survival. Today the black squirrel is thriving in the woodlands of North Langeland.
A very special conservation project has been launched on Langeland. Black squirrels have a very special place in Danish history. The black species is endangered because it is being mixed with the genes of the common red squirrel. Listen to Claus Dalskov talk about how black squirrels came to Langeland and how you can improve your chances of spotting one of these wild animals in nature.
Activity
Bræmlevænget takes its name from one of the forest's many characteristic plantations. Can you guess which plant it is?
Clues
- It is not the pill from Vejrmosen
- It stings if you are not careful when approaching it
- It blooms in summer
- It produces tasty berries in late summer and autumn
Stop at the old barn by Vejrmosen, where willow was once dried, and take a swing over the open marsh.
In addition to looking for black squirrels, you may also be lucky enough to spot brown spring frogs, which can jump up to two metres, even though the frog is only 7 cm long. If the spring frog is startled, it jumps in a zigzag pattern to escape from danger.
Find some tall grass or broken branches, which you can use to make beautiful wickerwork.