So the squirrel that is my topic is the American red squirrel. It's smallish but about twice as big as a chipmunk. They're very territorial so if they set up in your yard there's lots of action by he squirrel to keep other red squirrels out of it's territory. sometimes they chatter at me and I think they're trying to tell me to get lost. They are supposed to eat seeds but they eat a very wide variety of materials...mushrooms, berries, mice, eggs and much more. They are very active and extremely quick in there motions.
They are favorites of many people as they are incredibly cute. However , they can be nasty so keep your distance. They can be destructive and chew holes in your house.
Now red squirrels have a liking for sunflower seeds. Red squirrels have hit the jack pot when they find a bird feeder with sunflower seeds. They take over. The feeder is theirs. They are crafty and pesky. They also consume many seeds.
So I had a plan. I would get a small hinge and attach it near the feeder. I attached a fish line to the hinge so that the hinge could be pulled up and down and make a noise. Now I know some of you are saying, "I tried that."
Well the squirrel soon came along and I pulled he line. The squirrel left at twice the speed of lightning. I didn't see it for a few weeks. However, all good things come to an end and the squirrel came back and when I pulled the hinge it took off. Gradually the squirrel visits became more frequent and then the cheeky beggar would come back after a few minutes. So my creation worked for a while and then gradually lost it's effect.
Now the squirrel really knew how to rub things in. It would stand on the fence at the back door and look in that door. The squirrel had found out that the door opens and then the hinge moves. The cheeky little beggar was watching for me. Talk about smart.
I'm going to have to up my game if I want to beat this squirrel.
I had a select three squirrels at the old place and I finally set up a feeder just for them. They liked it but I do think they like to have fun digging through the mixes. One got so bold that he wouldn't leave while I was outside with the dog.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly can be bold as they soon learn when they are safe.
DeleteGood Luck! I put a bounty out for the Red Squirrel that is visiting here, Great Nephew might need $5 They are destructive. Now we have a weasel in the garage:(
ReplyDeleteI would rather have weasels than squirrels.
DeleteYour bird feeder is too squirrel friendly, I fear. It will be a lost cause.
ReplyDeleteYes you can take one look and it is squirrel friendly.
DeleteHe looks very clever. He looks a bit simular to our red squirrels, but ours are real brown (or red).
ReplyDeleteI will have to look up the European red squirrel and see how they are related.
DeleteIt must be somewhat distressing when you discover that a small red squirrel is cleverer than you are. Don't leave your car keys where the squirrel might see them or you will wake up in the morning to find that your car has vanished.
ReplyDeleteWell, the car might not vanish but I can see the keys vanishing.
DeleteThere's a squirrel-proof bird feeder that closes the door when the squirrel's weight is felt. It works very well, but like almost everything else, they can figure out a way to foil it before too long. I laughed to think of your crafty squirrel waiting for you! :-)
ReplyDeleteThere are several different kinds of bird feeders that are supposed to block squirrels.
DeleteThey are cute, but destructive, as you say. But I do enjoy watching them.
ReplyDeleteThey can also be very aggressive. I don't like them getting close to me.
DeleteI have feeders for them also, Hard to beat them
ReplyDeleteI think one has to deter as much as possible and then live with it.
DeleteThey're capable of solving problems put before them, given enough time, so this doesn't surprise me.
ReplyDeleteThey are very smart. No doubt about it.
DeleteYes, you will just have to be smarter, Red! But let's face it, a squirrel has more time on its hands/paws so that may be the deciding factor.
ReplyDeleteIt's just in their DNA!!!
DeleteThere's no beating a squirrel! It's impossible!
ReplyDeleteHello Red, I have been battling the squirrels too. My latest new feeder does keep the squirrels away. They have plenty to eat around here. Thanks for your comment on my blog. have a happy day!
ReplyDeleteThis can be a full time job. HAHA They are quite persistent.
ReplyDeleteOh, boy. We have war on the squirrels but there's no doubt that they are winning. The last few days, the population on the feeder at one time is up to five! They have nearly destroyed the wood of the feeder and are eating us out of house and home. I hope you have better luck deterring them than we do!
ReplyDeleteYou were too easy for them to figure out. Now you have to step up with a new plan. The battle continues. You will win with the updated new plan. Good luck. :)
ReplyDeleteOh yes, they are so darn smart. Nice photos!
ReplyDeleteI agree they are very smart and persistent. We got a bird feeder with a plastic dome on top in Illinois. It was the funniest thing to watch them trying every which way to get to the feeder without sliding off the dome on top. They did eventually give up and try to find seeds that the birds might have dropped on the ground.
ReplyDeleteHi Red, Enjoyed this post. You are so right about the crafty squirrels! Quick question: In your last photo do you see the face in that tree? It looks like I'm the only one who mentioned it, so I hope I'm not crazy. :-) Pretty cool to have that tree watching over the fence. :-) Have a great day!
ReplyDelete