The same squirl is back again this spring in my courtyard in the city. where was he all winter?

I live in manhattan. Very small courtyard one or two trees.


I am curious where if the squirl migrates and comes back or stays there for the winter.


If so where?The same squirl is back again this spring in my courtyard in the city. where was he all winter?
';Gray squirrels do not hibernate but instead rely on their fat reserves and cached mast stores to survive the long, cold winters. Gray squirrels can be seen out in the winter months as long as the temperatures are not too cold (not below 30 degrees F) and as long as it is not raining or snowing. Food forages are calculated risks in which the use of energy (fat) reserves must yield a ';profit'; or the squirrel's vital fat insulation layer will be steadily lost and the individual will be unable to survive the winter.';


http://www.psu.edu/dept/nkbiology/nature鈥?/a>





When they are not out and about foraging for food, they usuall stay warm in their den or nest: '; Gray squirrels live in two types of dwelling structures: dens, which are holes typically constructed in healthy, living trees (often by the expansion of abandoned woodpecker holes) and nests, which are densely packed masses of sticks and leaves (and a great variety of any other available natural and human-made materials). Nests are usually located high up in the forked branches of large trees. Dens are preferred for over-wintering and for brood chambers, but nests are (with constant maintenance) very weather proof and sturdy habitations.'; (same website as above)





So, he has most likely been around, you just haven't seen him. Look for signs of a nest or den in the trees.The same squirl is back again this spring in my courtyard in the city. where was he all winter?
Squirrels are not migratory. He's likely expanded territory to be able to survive the winter. Perhaps someone, realizing the scarcity of food, is putting out seeds to keep it from starving.
in and out of basements, in the neighborhood park...they are very clever in their ability to survive.....