News

May 21, 2023

Red squirrel caught on camera with shopping trolley stuffed full of hazelnuts

Joss Ward captured the moment the squirrel approached the mini trolley Keep up

Joss Ward captured the moment the squirrel approached the mini trolley

Keep up to date with the latest stories with our WalesOnline newsletter

We have more newsletters

A hungry red squirrel was caught on camera doing some last-minute 'Christmas shopping' - posing with a mini shopping trolley stuffed full of hazelnuts. Joss Ward captured the moment the fluffy forager approached the trolley and placed his delicate paws around the purple handle - as if pushing it along in a supermarket.

Other sweet snaps show the rodent, affectionately dubbed McTufty by the mental health worker, peering into the trolley as if pondering his next purchase and even sampling the goods. After spending two hours snapping the camera-friendly critter in protected woodland in Nairn, Inverness, the 60-year-old said he eventually scampered off.

Joss, from Nairn, said: "It looks like McTufty was doing his Christmas shopping. There is a group of three squirrels who visit regularly. This one is quite a young one, I called him McTufty because in the winter they grow these tufts on their ears.

"He'd gone up to have a look and see what's in the trolley. It's literally a little bit of luck and timing when it comes to taking photographs. I always wanted to get one of him holding the handles as if he was going to do some shopping.

"It was exhilarating, it's a delight when you get something that you've been waiting to get for a while. If it hadn't been for my friend and his vision and patience with the set-up then I wouldn't have got the shot I've got."

Joss set up the trolley with the help of pal Kenny MacLeod, 62, who fixed the tiny trolley to a log to lure the friendly red squirrels out of hiding. After half an hour waiting in an open area of the woods with bated breath, the duo were delighted when McTufty emerged from the trees and made his way to the log.

Joss has photographed McTufty on several occasions, describing him as 'trusting' and 'intelligent'. The mum-of-two said she feels 'privileged' that the squirrels venture out when she's there - including once when they enjoyed lunch at a miniature picnic table she put out for them.

Joss said: "People have been laughing mostly, because they think this squirrel with a shopping trolley is hilarious. It's nice to be able to share something you've captured that not a lot of other people get the opportunity to see. It's lovely seeing that people get so much pleasure out of a photograph you've taken. I was really surprised by it."