Some weeks ago I inferred from seed hull evidence that a relocated window box had been compromised by surprisingly athletic squirrels. But recent investigations have proven that...and I am forced to admit...the squirrels are entirely innocent! I'd been used to Titmice and Chickadees flying in, grabbing a seed, and running, leaving no waste behind. Turns out, now that we've studied the box, that House Finches and Pine Siskins are the true varmints. These birds come in and stay, eating and dropping hulls almost squirrel-like. This would not be so bad except that these species are seed piggies and clean the box out in no time at all, where the Titmice would take a week. Have we only replaced one kind of squirrel with another?
Friday, January 14, 2011
Window Box Varmints
Some weeks ago I inferred from seed hull evidence that a relocated window box had been compromised by surprisingly athletic squirrels. But recent investigations have proven that...and I am forced to admit...the squirrels are entirely innocent! I'd been used to Titmice and Chickadees flying in, grabbing a seed, and running, leaving no waste behind. Turns out, now that we've studied the box, that House Finches and Pine Siskins are the true varmints. These birds come in and stay, eating and dropping hulls almost squirrel-like. This would not be so bad except that these species are seed piggies and clean the box out in no time at all, where the Titmice would take a week. Have we only replaced one kind of squirrel with another?
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