In total I have collected 19 replicates: 10 counts at location 1, or the location with significant human activity, and 9 at location 2, the secluded area. I collected data over the course of a couple weeks, visting both locations twice every day I went between 1:30 and 3:30 pm. If I did not spot a squirrel within 10 minutes I would walk back to the other location. If I spotted a squirrel, I would spend approximately 20 minutes taking observations every minute on the minute.
Because I did not change my sampling design, I have encountered the same issues as I had previously; having to wait long periods of time before I find a squirrel to sample, and an abundance of ticks.
I have thus far noticed a trend of increased fights between squirrels and general alertness in the location adjacent the walking path, whereas the squirrels in location 2 spend more time sitting and grooming. I originally attributed the alertness of the squirrels in location 1 to the human activity, however other factors that may affect this is the lower tree cover and increased confrontation with other red squirrels.
I was originally concerned my presence would skew the results, however considering the trends between data collected thus far I am confident that my presence is not significantly affecting the data.