NPSpecies

Present in the park on MDI (Garman 1991).

Coman (1987) suggests that there were no Gray Squirrels on Mount Desert Island until some were released by George Dorr at Sieur de Monts Spring in 1922. Whitaker and Hamilton (1998) Native to New England. Native to Maine since at least 1868 (Palmer 1937).

Coman (1987) Uncommon in the 1940s on MDI, now rapidly increasing.

Park Species Detail: Checklist information (abundance) updated 4/8/03 by professional judgement of Bruce Connery, ACAD wildlife biologist. Garman (1991): 6 captured during trapping in 1987 and 1988 in aspen-birch and red spruce habitats. Coman (1987, 1981) Population said to have originated from captive specimens released by Dorr at Sieur de Monts Spring in 1922. Uncommon in the 1940's. Species now increasing and found on the east and west sides of MDI. Manville (1960) suggest that the 1947 fire took a heavy toll on gray squirrels and may have eliminated them from the island; none have been observed or reported recently. Manville (1942) Probably not native to MDI, although there is an observation from Indian Point about 1898 (J. Tracy). Captive individuals were released at Sieur de Monts Spring by George B. Dorr during the spring of 1922. Now range at least over the eastern half of MDI. An increasing population of 20 were reported on MDI in 1933 (Thompson and Smith). Stupka (1933) estimates 20 gray squirrels on MDI, with 3 of these within park boundaries. Reiche and Burton (1924) observed or collected in the Oak Meadow region east of Newport (=Champlain) Mountain between 1 July and 8 August, 1924., Park Species Data Source: Garman (1991); Coman (1987); Coman (1981); Manville (1942); Stupka (1933); Reiche and Burton (1924) Legacy NPSpecies information may no longer be applicable, please remove if it is not applicable. In legacy NPSpecies Residency was Unknown with comment: No breeding yet documented within park boundaries.