Funny, I noticed the same thing last weekend when I was up there. We only have a couple of pines left on our property but I saw a lot of half eaten cones one day, then they were gone the next. Some just sitting on rocks like a dinner plate. Maybe all the leftover healthy pine trees are developing extra cones and that’s attracting the squirrels?
What is with the squirrels? They’re all over! This year is nothing like any other. It used to be only pine needles being the primary clutter on the property but now it’s pine cones being chewed up and turned into sticky (sap) trash all over the lot. And they drop dead branches from high above! Watch out.
Anyone else dealing with this and if so, what approach are you taking?