If you’ve ever looked up into the trees and spotted a large, messy ball of twigs, leaves and moss wedged high in the branches, you might have been looking at a squirrel’s home. These fascinating little shelters are known as dreys — intricate nests that squirrels build to rest, raise their young and stay warm through the seasons.
Although they can look rough and untidy from below, squirrel dreys are surprisingly well built and cleverly designed. Let’s take a closer look at what they’re made from, where they’re built, and why they matter so much to the lives of these agile woodland animals.
What Is a Drey?
The word drey simply means a squirrel’s nest. It’s usually a compact, rounded structure made from a clever combination of twigs, leaves, bark, moss, grass and other natural materials. Dreys are typically found high up in the forks of tall trees, safely out of reach of most predators.
Unlike bird nests, which are often open, dreys are enclosed and insulated, with a small entrance hole just big enough for a squirrel to slip inside. This gives excellent protection against wind, rain and snow — and makes it harder for predators to spot what’s inside.
Red and grey squirrels both build dreys, although their designs and preferred locations can vary slightly depending on the type of woodland they live in.
How Squirrels Build Their Dreys
Squirrels are remarkably resourceful builders. They gather twigs and sticks to form a strong outer shell, weaving them together tightly to create a sturdy frame. Once that’s in place, they line the inside with softer materials such as moss, leaves, shredded bark and even feathers to make the nest cosy and waterproof.
It’s common for squirrels to use more than one drey. In fact, they often keep several around their territory — a main nest for resting and raising young, and a few backups in case one becomes damaged or infested with parasites.
Building or repairing dreys usually happens in late autumn, when squirrels are also busy storing food. As winter approaches, they reinforce their nests to make them more weatherproof, creating an insulated chamber where they can rest during the cold months.
Where Do Squirrels Build Their Nests?
Squirrels prefer to build dreys high up in trees, usually about six metres or more above the ground. The nests are often tucked close to the trunk, where branches are strongest and the structure can be hidden by foliage.
Red squirrels favour coniferous forests, where they can build in tall pine or spruce trees. Grey squirrels, being more adaptable, often choose deciduous trees such as oak, beech or chestnut. In urban areas, they’re known to make use of garden trees, attics and even abandoned bird boxes if they offer enough shelter.
Sometimes squirrels will use natural tree cavities instead of building dreys. These hollow spaces, known as dens, are warmer and more secure, especially in winter. However, such ideal hollows are rare, so most squirrels still rely on dreys for day-to-day shelter.
What Do Squirrels Use Dreys For?
Dreys serve a variety of purposes throughout the year. In summer, squirrels might rest in them during the day, retreating from the heat or storing food nearby. In winter, the nests become vital survival spaces, keeping the animals warm and dry when food is scarce and temperatures drop.
Female squirrels also use dreys to raise their young, called kits. The soft lining keeps the babies safe and warm until they’re old enough to venture outside. It’s common for a mother to move her kits between nests if she feels threatened, which is another reason why having multiple dreys is important.
How to Spot a Squirrel’s Drey
If you want to spot a squirrel’s drey for yourself, here are a few simple tips:
- Look high in the trees, particularly where thick branches meet the trunk.
- Dreys are usually about the size of a football, though they can appear larger in leafy trees.
- They often look like big clumps of leaves, but if you watch closely, you may see a squirrel entering or leaving through a small hole on one side.
- The best time to spot dreys is in late autumn or winter, when trees have lost their leaves and nests are easier to see.
- Be patient — squirrels are most active early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Always remember to keep your distance. Red squirrels, in particular, are a protected species in the UK, and their nesting sites should never be disturbed.
Red vs Grey Squirrel Dreys
At first glance, it can be difficult to tell the difference between the dreys of red and grey squirrels. However, there are a few subtle clues that can help.
- Red squirrels usually build smaller, neater dreys in conifer trees. Their nests are often lined with moss and positioned higher up for safety.
- Grey squirrels prefer larger, looser structures made from thicker twigs and leaves. They often build in broadleaf trees and may reuse old bird nests or tree hollows.
Both types of squirrels may build multiple dreys throughout the year, though greys are known to maintain theirs for longer periods.
Why Dreys Are So Important
For squirrels, a well-built drey is a matter of life and death. It provides shelter from harsh weather, protection from predators, and a safe place to raise young. In cold winters, squirrels sometimes curl up together in a single nest, sharing body heat to survive.
Dreys also tell us a lot about the health of the local woodland. When there are plenty of strong, tall trees with good canopy cover, squirrels have more places to build. Healthy forests mean healthy squirrel populations.
By contrast, when habitats are fragmented or trees are lost to disease or logging, squirrels struggle to find suitable nesting spots — one of the reasons red squirrels have become increasingly rare in many parts of the UK.
How You Can Help
If you’re lucky enough to live near woodlands or large gardens, there are small things you can do to make life easier for squirrels and other wildlife.
- Plant trees and native shrubs that produce nuts and seeds, such as hazel, oak or beech.
- Avoid pruning or felling trees during the nesting season, which runs from late winter through to early summer.
- Keep pets under control, especially near known nesting areas.
- Record sightings of red squirrels and report them to local wildlife organisations — this helps track populations and manage conservation work.
- Support woodland charities that restore forests and protect red-squirrel habitats.
Even small actions make a difference. By creating a safe environment for squirrels to build and maintain their dreys, you’re helping one of the UK’s most iconic woodland creatures thrive.
Final Thoughts
So, what is a squirrel’s nest called? It’s called a drey — a carefully constructed, weatherproof home built high among the branches. Dreys are more than just nests; they’re lifelines for squirrels, offering shelter, warmth and safety throughout the year.
Next time you’re out walking through the woods, take a moment to look up. You might spot a drey tucked into the trees — a hidden reminder of how resourceful and resilient these small animals truly are.
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