For many years, I have struggled with keeping the squirrels off the bird feeders. I have installed baffles, trimmed branches back to discourage leaping, sprinkled hot pepper in the seeds (the birds can't taste heat) and finally, I completely moved and changed the entire feeding landscape.
Red squirrels are quite cute, but they're also quarrelsome and destructive. Happily, this cheeky little fellow can no longer get to the feeders.
He does come around and clean up the ground food I put out, though, along with anything the birds happen to drop from the feeders as they search for the perfect seed. He still keeps trying to get to the source, but (knock on wood) so far, the baffles are limiting him (and his black and gray squirrel competitors) to ground snacking.
I call this success!
7 comments:
The little stinkers are very cute, but persistent. I finally put some baffles on the feeder poles, which works very well, except that the tops of the baffles are covered in bird doo all the time. The birds sit on the arms the feeders hang from, and "let the chips fall where they may". Yuck. Unfortunately, the baffles are black, so the bird 'accumulation' shows up really well. Which is worse: squirrels robbing the feeders or unsightly and obvious piles of bird crap on the baffles? I guess I'd prefer to have the crappy baffles.
When I try to wash the baffles with scrub brush and water, the water always splashes my shirt, legs and shoes with bird crap. Always. Never fails. Not exactly positive reinforcement for cleaning the baffles. -shudder-
Hugs to ya from BetsyLee
Yes, indeed, BetsyLee, those squirrelly little guys don't seem to give up, once they've decided on a goal. A quality both admirable and irritating! I know what you mean about the baffles. The lower ones don't become nearly as fouled as the ones hanging above the feeders, but they all get messy. I'm willing to put up with the cleanup for the privilege of watching furred and feathered antics, though. :) Hugs to you.
Somehow, it's reassuring to know that someone else has poop-covered baffles. :^)
Hugs for today, BetsyLee
We have had fun with these cheeky little critters. But how can they eat so much!?! Their little tummies must expand to 10x their normal size when they find a good food source. This is a link to the type of feeder we've found does a great job discouraging the mini-marauders. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ac/bb/80/acbb800203e6205168fd1e91365d0f47.jpg
It cracks me up when they're holding on to the hanging wire with their back paws, spread out on their bellies, reaching, reaching, stretching as far as they can, hanging over the rooftop, so sure they could get a treat, if only they were just a little bit closer... Their back feet eventually are stretched beyond their limits, opening up and the squirrel slides off the feeder roof, airborne! They always land softly and scamper away, or back up to the feeder to try, try again. They are nothing if not persistent!
I admit to having a love/hate relationship with these tiny piggies!
PixiePam
You might enjoy YouTube videos by Mark Rober. He has made several Squirrel obstacle courses and even hosted a Squirrel Olympics -- all quite entertaining 😁🐿️
PixiePam
PixiePam, I've seen some of those videos and you're right. They're very entertaining. And your feeder looks interesting. I'll have to see if they have anything like that at my bird food store to foil the fuzzy fiends. :)
Yup, my black baffles are more black and white camo colored............critter/bird art.
In my platform feeder, I put nothing but safflower ;j
In my tube/squirrel buster peanut feeder, I have fun watching the larger squirrels stretch/reach from the shepherd pole and steal nuts until they have to grab on tighter and close the food off. The smaller ones are not big enough strong enough to do that. It really slows down the thievery!
I wish I could keep the starlings/grackles off all of my feeders. I know upside down suet. But I have a small peanut tube that I put suet pellet/mini balls in. I have a squirrel buster suet feeder, but I don't have it set too sensitively, because I want the flickers and red bellied woodpeckers to be able to eat. Same for my peanut feeder, along with the bluejays.
Life of a backyard birder is so tough!!! ;j
Sheila
Post a Comment