18 February 2010

for the birds & more

remember my skepticism surrounding the squirrel-proof birdfeeder i got for christmas? well, five weeks later, i have to admit that it really does work. our resident squirrels have not even attempted to raid the new feeder. because they're too busy raising havoc at the old one.

22 comments:

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

I bought a big expensive "squirrel-proof" feeder, which the squirrels have managed to rape and pillage pretty thoroughly. Do you happen to know the brand name of your new one?

Unknown said...

Handsome squirrel!

chris said...

Blissed-Out Grandma: it's a Duncraft Squirrel Buster Mini. great design!
April Van Tassell: he's a handsome devil - eating us out of birdseed by the pound!

My Walkabout said...

that is a great looking picture

Lisa said...

Awww... what a cute little feller! I'm happy to hear those things DO work... had been thinking about getting one!

Nancy Grossi ~ Churned In Cali ~ The Wife of a Dairyman said...

Love the bird feeder. What an adorable little squirrel! Glad it's all working out for you.

Angie said...

I read somewhere that if you set up a squirrel feeder away from your bird feeders, that the squirrels will leave the BFs alone. I haven't seen any squirrels actually ON our feeder, but the birds make enough of a mess that they can just pig out on the ground.

Suz said...

Very funny picture. My mother used to grease the pole with vasoline. That was pretty funny to watch the squirrels slide down and not figure out what happened.

The obsessed collegiate said...

This honestly amused me. Im just starting to blog and was looking to reach out to others on this site. I love the randomness of a squirrel proof birdfeeder.I've never seen or heard of such a thing. =] Please check out my blog if possible. Really,Really new at this.

middle child said...

Just feed the poor bastards. That's what I do. Then I let the dog out to see just how close she comes to catching it. Stupid, I know. In fact that's how she ended up needing a $1500.00 operation. There are many squirrel-proof feeders out there but even then, the squirrels will use them as swings. Peace.

Unknown said...

My husband's brother has lived in Vermont over 30 years, and we visit there occasionally. I love New England, so when I discovered your blog I began following.

We live just outside of a small town of 12,000 in eastern Oregon. We enjoy the company of wild life such as deer, wild turkeys, raccoon, hawks, fox, and the occasional bear. The winters are long and cold, but it's a joy to live so close to nature.

We fill our 20 plus bird feeders daily, and over half ends up feeding the local deer herd, and the large squirrel family on our four acres. It's a small price to pay for viewing a large variety of birds close-up.

Speaking of variety; I just discovered the "blogging world". Did you get some assistance in developing your blog? I'm playing with the idea of starting one, but I'm computer challenged. I'm also on Facebook if you'd like to respond to this.

Karma said...

Oh hahaha adorable picture. I found your blog through the "Blogs of Note" and I love it! Happy Blogging and hope to hear back from you maybe!

May-be Miracles said...

I don't often look at the "Blogs of Note" and only click on a few of them at that...happened to click on yours and SO glad I did. What a cute blog...I look forward to following your posts and pictures. Love the post about the potty training and stickers too!! I can tell you have a lot of fun with this...continue to enjoy!!

Glitz, Glamour & Gossip! said...

I know somebody who left peanuts on the ground for the squirrels. This kept them away from the bird feeders, since they obviously didn't have to work very hard for the food on the ground. It seemed to work for them, but i'm glad to hear you have found a well working bird feeder!

Bea said...

Too Funny! I bought a new bird feeder for my husband a few weeks ago, and there was a spherical cage around it... it seems to keep the squirrels away. I love watching the birds flying around the yard during the winter, knowing they have a source of food when it is usually scarce. Have you read the book Stranger in the Woods to your children? I found the photography quite beautiful, and the story perfect for little children. I love your blog... please come visit mine sometime!

chris said...

Willy, MrsSchlereth, The Wife of a Dairyman: red squirrels are cute but if they get into your attic or basement, they can make a real mess and they're hard to get rid of. this little guy lives in the woodpile, right next to the tree where the feeder is. he's got it made.

Angie, Glitz, Glamour & Gossip, and middle child: thanks for the tips. putting seed or nuts directly on the ground may make it easy for other more distasteful rodents to eat at chris's restaurant, so i tend not to ground feed.

Suz, laughed out loud at the image of an squirrel on a greased pole! unfortunately, this guy scales the lilac tree, then drops in.

April Van Tassel: one of the things i like best about living where i do is being so close to nature. sounds like you have the same sort of place! when i began blogging, i just followed the blogger directions. they're pretty easy to understand, mostly!

Bea: i do know that book! so pretty! do you know the similar one, Lost in the Woods?

Elley & May-be Miracles: thank you for your visit and your kind words! i do have a lot of fun blogging!

The obsessed collegiate: write on! i bet you'll like it, too!

Dawn said...

Great picture! I too have a continual ongoing battle in my garden with two squirrels who have commandered my bird feeders, they're too clever for their own good! :)

Brenda Grolle said...

I actually have that squirrel-proof feeder and it doesn't work. They stick their little paws through and scoop out the seeds anyway.

In fact, I haven't found one feeder they can't manipulate somehow.

So, I put stuff on the ground for them. At least it keeps them off the feeders until the stuff on the ground runs out, LOL!

Another thing - you know the bags of safflower seed that clearly state that squirrels won't eat it? They do! I watched a squirrel eat half a feeder-full at one sitting.

Unknown said...

hahaha nice! Very neat pic!

Bette's Bags said...

They are smart little devils!

Hazel Nut said...

LOL! Too funny :)

Anonymous said...

That's really cute.