of the
Delmarva Fox Squirrel and its Habitat
submitted by
Karen Terwilliger
Terwilliger Consulting, Inc.
March 2000
The purpose of this effort was to assess the status of the Delmarva fox squirrel (DFS) population and its habitat and provide this information along with recommendations for future conservation options to our clients. 
The first step in assessing the Delmarva fox squirrel and its habitat was to review and compile historical data and records of past efforts. Reports and notes recorded since the 1982 release were compiled and are presented. The history was pieced together from the above sources as well as from Dueser and Terwilliger, 1987. The Delmarva Fox Squirrel Recovery Team, following evaluation of several potential sites in Virginia, the second release site in Virginia. Habitat quality was considered to be suitable although not optimum, but land ownership and protection statuses were most desirable. Predator populations here were high, as on most of Virginia's Eastern Shore including the first release site, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (CNWR). However, in contrast to CNWR, gray squirrels were abundant on the second release site during the release period.  Fox squirrels from CNWR were released in mature pine forest on the second release site during three intervals spanning 1982-1983 (Table 1). Based on experience at Chincoteague Refuge and in Maryland, a "soft release" method was employed in an effort to reduce transplant fatalities and to increase site fidelity. Animals were trapped on Chincoteague Refuge, transported to the second release site in closed nest boxes, and held in a large turkey wire "release cage" for 5-7 days prior to release. They were provisioned with cracked corn and water both before release and for several months afterward. The feeders continued to be filled with corn during the winter months, and twenty-five nest boxes were deployed. Eleven squirrels were marked for individual identification during the final release period in May of 1983. Excluding one pre-release death, 24 squirrels were transplanted over a 12-month period. In contrast to CNWR, where 25% of the transplanted animals perished before or immediately after release, only one of the 25 animals transported to the second release site died prior to release. A plan was developed for their management and the introduced population was monitored periodically by personnel of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and the VA Coast Reserve. |