Hello David,
I have seen similar chases, but only on three occasions in the last 40 or so years, in the pine forests in Northumberland. They are very funny to watch, and can go on for several minutes or until they realise they are being watched. Strangely, all have been in May and not this late in the year. I can't help with the ear tufts but I seem to remember reading somewhere that they got longer, the older the squirrel. A bit like mens eyebrows.
Harry