This morning, after Tone and I read Mari's comment, warning me about squirrels, raccoons, and opossums soon arrival, to eat all of our expensive birdseed—I panicked! "Tony, as soon as you and Aaron are done outside, I need y'all's help, attaching the new pole, and the suet holder. And, I'm thinking about getting y'all to move my pole kit, too, because we don't need critters in the yard." Tony nodded, and then he went outside to go to work.
About an hour later, I took a break from my paperwork, and went to the window to look at the birds. There were no birds outside—just a cute little squirrel, eating our birdseed! I quickly grabbed my camera, and took this picture of him, so I could prove it to the squirrel police! We needed baffles!
Tony and Aaron added my new pole, and attached our suet bar and hanger. Here is a picture of it now—in its new location!
3 comments:
Ok, Nancy, after seeing that picture of that little seed-stealing 'varmint',I will resist temptation and NOT say "I told you so!" LOL
Instead I will give further warning advice as I suspect, since you think of a squirrel as "cute" rather than as a furry-tailed RAT, that you may not be well-versed in squirrel thievery and overall chicanery. -mighty big grin here- Squirrels can JUMP 8', so don't set your pole systems within 8' of a tree, roof, fence or the like, or the baffle will do no good. The squirrel will merely launch onto your feeders.
Squirrels do not care for safflower seed, and there are some folks who use hot pepper flavored seed to deter squirrels (birds aren't bothered by the "heat").
And I have REALLY good news. Few animals are interested in that $$$ thistle/nyger seed that so attracts finches, so at least you won't be spending as much as you might think where THAT seed is concerned.
And here's a tip. To save money on suet (and note this does not MELT in the summer), toast 2 slices of whole grain - never white - bread. Don't let it cool so much that the bread gets hard/brittle, but don't do the next step while the bread is still hot from the toaster or the peanut butter will be messy. Ok, next slather one side of each slice with crunchy peanut butter and then lightly press that same PB'ed side of each slice into a good wild bird seed mix. The seed will stick to the PB. Finally put the two toast slices with the dry sides back-to-back in your suet feeder. TA-DAH! It will take your 'country' birds but a short while to decide this is one GOOD treat!
With this extended drought we're are suffering, there is very little for the wild birds to eat, so you gotta know that you are probably saving little feathered lives with your new hobby! Kudos to you and Tony, but then I say that about y'all anyway for ALL the work you do saving animal lives!
what are you naming your new squirrel pal?
Slick!
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