A new discovery has been made in the ongoing man versus squirrel battle of wits. For those who might not have been keeping score, the present standings are Douglas Squirrels – 8,342, Grey-bearded human – 3. However this new discovery could very well indicate a turning point in the contest; turning point of course meaning that it might allow me to score another point bringing my total up to 4.
I have in my arsenal one truly squirrel impenetrable feeder for dispensing black-oil sunflower seeds. The rest either dispense things squirrels can’t or won’t eat (for instance, nyjer seeds), or have simply been acknowledged as “squirrel compromised.” The problem is that, as I have previously written, some of the larger birds visiting the property which have no interest in suet cakes, particularly Evening Grosbeaks, don’t care for the squirrel proof feeder nor any of the others save one – the gazebo feeder.
The gazebo feeder is of course the favorite dining and sleeping spot of the local squirrel population. Filling it in the morning guarantees it to be empty by just past noon with a dozing, belching squirrel sprawled out in the feeding tray. Of course, when I look at it out the living room window I’d much prefer to see the brilliant colors of migrating grosbeaks surrounding it than a tell-tale bushy red tail drooping lazily down from its edge.
I’ve tried various strategies. I’ve moved it away from “bridge” branches. I’ve installed a squirrel baffle on the post, which does in fact prevent the little buggers from scaling it. But as the photo I downloaded today from the SD card out of my BirdCam demonstrated to me, I’ve been going about my defenses from the wrong angle.
The squirrels aren’t scaling the post or clambering over bridging limbs near the feeding tray; the furry little blighters are dropping down onto its lid from above. While I haven’t devised the appropriate (non-lethal) counter measure to this aerial attack, I do take pleasure from having discovered their method of approach. I fully realize that so long as I continue to put black-oil sunflower seed into this feeder that the squirrels will find a way to obtain it but I think the squirrels and I would be mutually disappointed with one another if I at least didn’t try to prevent them from doing so.
Peace and good bird watching.