Country diary: squirrel antics brighten up the bleak wintry days

Langstone, Hampshire Grey squirrels begin mating in mid-December, but here the males' chittering pursuit started weeks ago

On bleak, damp days when the trees are devoid of birdlife, I can always rely on grey squirrels to bring a smile to my face. Rain or shine, they come tumbling through the bare winter branches like a troop of circus acrobats, walking the tightrope of my washing line and swinging from my bird feeders as though they are performing on the flying trapeze.