Squirrel Proof

After several days of watching the antics in the yard near the feeders it was time for another solution. Squirrels discovered the second feeder although they prefer the feeder hanging higher up. Putting one lower was a bad decision. Never did I think of predators. Although squirrels don't attack the birds at the feeder they make lots of noise to exert their authority and perceived control of the feeders. A neighborhood cat causing a lot of commotion drew me to the window yesterday. He was trying to climb a pole wood fence to get a bird. It was time for action. A new shepherd's hook. Hopefully this will keep cats away from the birds and squirrels can't eat from the feeder. Have you ever seen the video of the squirrel climbing a pole to get to the feeder? It's oiled and he slides right back down.

After I put up the new hook and hung the feeders I oiled the pole with the only oil I had, vegetable. Couldn't wait until the squirrels arrived. Normally it's only 1-2 squirrels at the feeder but yesterday they must have brought the whole family and they were tearing up my yard, running, playing, and digging. Today they were unset. So what happened? The first squirrel looked, and walked up and down on the fence trying to figure out a way to get to the hook. I knew one would eventually jump from the fence onto the pole and he did. He slid down the pole. No seeds for him. I couldn't believe this would work but it did just like on the video. Would have been wonderful to get a video but it happened so fast, the squirrel jumped and slid down the pole.

They weren't going to be out done. Do you see that red area on the ground in the left top corner near the table? That's my TOMATO from my bush. I guess it's pay back time. They'll eat ripe tomatoes. I left 2 nearly ripe ones on the plant and some green ones. There may be no more to harvest if I don't get them when they are green and let them ripen indoors in the window. 

He dug in the soil and rolled around then...

He finally ate the rest of the tomato. Sorry for poor picture quality. The pictures are taken from my window inside the house. I watch the activity from my window.

A female cardinal. I wasted seeds on the ground yesterday and they found them. She comes with her baby cardinal. I saw them both feeding yesterday. The baby chirped seeming uncertain to be so exposed probably watching for predators.

Can you see the male cardinal sitting on the feeder? Other birds also come. Sparrows, finches, and some I don't know the names of but cardinals come the most. I've learned their song and come to the window when they sing to see them. Haven't seen them in the bird bath yet but I know they've been in it because they're seeds inside the water. Blue jays used to come to the yard a lot but I don't see them in our neighborhood anymore although they're probably still here. Maybe they're isn't plentiful food source anymore. In my neighborhood we also have possums, foxes, deer, ground hogs, and raccoons. I mostly seem raccoons at night when my security light alerts me that something's moving in the yard. The raccoons are eating well because they're huge. Philadelphia has lots of wild life. I saw my first chipmunk while walking in the Wissahickon. Friend of the Wissahickon has good information on plant and wild life for this area. They also have birding walks that maybe one day I'll get to go on. Hope you're also enjoying whatever wild life ventures through your yard.

Update: The squirrel got on the feeder. He was eating and holding on for dear life. Oil on the feeder solved the problem for now. The squirrel is now laying on the fence thinking of the next solution. Tomorrow is another day.