Alex McDonald

Alex conducted research on red squirrels for his Honours degree in the Bachelor of Natural Resource Science undergraduate program.  Specifically, he examined overwinter survival and changes in body condition in a subset of red squirrels occupying low-elevation Douglas-fir stands.   With mild temperatures now predominating over much of the winter, and snow accumulation being limited,  the ability of squirrels to rely on hoarded Douglas-fir cones may be strained.  Alex was particularly interested in monitoring the activity and foraging behaviour of the animals during the intense but short cold ‘snaps’ that occur during winter.