Squirrel Update

Summer is upon us in all its glory, but regrettably the change in seasons has not resulted in any less of the fuzzy gray menace.  Sciurus carolinensis remains a pesky reality.  And the four(?) tree rats on the property have done a real number.  We had to take down our window boxes once Chumley got in.  And I've seen the little menaces make serious moves on the other feeders.  At least so far they have generally been manageable and I am hoping for more productivity from the hawk community this summer.  That's about the only way I will enjoy the pests this summer!

Squirrel Update

It has been a long while since my last "Squirrel Update", and the news is not good.   I am being overrun with most wretched sciurus carolinensis.  You see, I have been counting the tree rats and today confirmed at least five, with a suspected sixth.  (It's five if squirrels can move faster than my automobile).  So far at least the rats have not penetrated the feeders, although they do continue to try.  But they are insatiably hungry and even the seed leavings below the feeders can't support so many animals.  Hence I have lost some of my prized wildflowers.  Only holes exist where some of the plants once did.  And I blame Chumley and his friends.  Invariably nature will supply a resolution.  If food is so tight the natural territorial instinct should kick in and some rats will drive out others.  And there is predatory potential.  More rats = easier to nail rats.  I wonder how long this onslaught will last?

The Problem with Peanuts

Over the years I have done a lot of thinking about foods to add to the feeders, and foods to subtract.  Not all additions pass the test of value to cost.  A good example is nyjer seed which is expensive and too often rejected by goldfinches (its only real consumer).  Lately I have wondered if the peanut feeder is at all worth it.  Peanuts are not moving quickly, and photo evidence suggests that the visits by such otherwise-suet eaters as nuthatches and Downy Woodpeckers are outnumbered by those of the pesky scamps, yes, the Grey Squirrel.  Perhaps the feeder is so well secured that the birds don't want to bother with it.  Or maybe peanuts just don't appeal as much as other things.  Either way I need to run some hard numbers before I pick up another sack of this stuff.  To heck with feeding squirrels!

Safe, For Now

The attacks have come fast and hard, but the newly revived peanut butter feeder has not been breached by our friend, most wretched scirus carolinensis.  I am very pleased that my layers of security have stood up to the abuse.  Among these is a clever (I think!) guy wire system that holds the feeder block in place inside its steel cage.  Even if Chumley can swing the cage a ways the feeder block stays in alignment and out of reach.  But time is on Chumley's side: they have lots of it, and I would not be surprised to see a bypass worked out.  For now, the peanut butter is safe for the birds!

Squirrel Update

Ah, the sunflower seed is flowing fast and furious as we near December.  And that means that most wretched sciurus carolinensis is reaping the rewards: even more seed spilled and handy for raiding.  And indeed, our three tree rats (by most recent count) are working the scratch ground fervently.  They are also, unfortunately, probing every other feeder for weakness and are digging up crocus bulbs by the bushel basket.  I can't recall such a hearty dig-fest in the fall before.  Perhaps one of our little gray friends is a fresh market vegetarian.  Apart from that the rats are not so big a problem.  But at last they are expressing their gifts for advanced mischief.  I almost expect nothing else!

Squirrel Update

Fall is upon us, and so are the fall behaviors of most wretched sciurus carolinensis--and they have been a piece of work.  Not that the squirrels are raiding the feeders: that behavior was greatly curtailed long ago.  But they are digging in the yard and dining on the deck railing--and making quite the mess of things.  I suppose I would rather that take place than spend the money to feed them, so I tolerate the nonsense.  But golly, there are an increasing number of dig holes!  Also on the plus side are fewer tree rats: we seem vexed only by two.  I wonder if the other two we've usually seen have passed on by grace of hawks or cars.  Something tells me word will get out and the void filled.  With squirrels, nothing too good lasts!

Sunflower Update

It really was inevitable.  And I saw it coming.  As readers may recall I planted a sunflower in the sun garden, and let several volunteers grow near the feeders.  And all grew to blossom this summer.  My hope was to indulge the seed eating birds.  But my suspicion was that the squirrels would get there first and end up destroying the plants.  While I was away in Wilmington last week the tree rats did destroy two plants -- completely!  Two remain.  And I caught one of the monsters gnawing on this flower head today.  Notice the gnawing sign at 3-o-clock.  Indeed, the birds will likely get zip.  This is not a major concern and the whole business was an experiment.  They are attractive flowers.  They do attract bees.  But the birds will have to be content with the stuff I buy at Family Home and Garden.  Live and learn...

Squirrel Update

Yes, my friends, it is time for a Squirrel Update!  As they say, WOO HOO!  Our squirrels continue to vex me in small ways.  Looks like the current count is six animals and they are a fixture at the north side feeder tree.  Happily, none of the wretches has gotten into any of the feeders and that's a huge relief.  My run of good luck there continues into another long season.  However, squirrels are instinctively pests and at least one of this bad lot is no exception.  We've discovered them digging into my beloved's Portulacas.  What the heck is that all about?!??  Do they have tasty roots??  I've poured some hot pepper flakes into the holes.  Maybe that will discourage the digging!  But it could be worse.  Onwards and upwards!

I Have a Bad Headache

No matter how well behaved a given squirrel may be (and mine seem behaved, or at least as much as a tree rat can be), there is a distinct bad feeling in one's head and gut when the number of such squirrels increases.  Until this weekend, I had illusions of four visiting squirrels -- our friends Chumley, Dudley, Lindsey and Bretley (all pop culture dumb-dumbs).  Today I counted ... seven.  OMG, as the kids type in their smart phone things.  Seven ... miserable ... squirrels.  I felt a dizziness, perhaps a bad headache coming on.  This is insane!  They must be coming in from more than half a mile.  Of course nature and bad luck will cull the herd a bit over time, but for now, I have a glut of them.  Lucky, lucky me.  And now I need to name them...hm... how about adding Ratbert, Kelly and Joey (points if you get the references)...

Cool Hand Luke

For many months now we've enjoyed relatively little mischief from most wretched sciurus carolinensis, and that's meant I have done very little harassing of these scamps.  That's also meant that some of the rats are figuring out that they have a free hand to show up and gorge.  One in particular has developed a calm personality even when I am present and moving about.  It's graduated from one of the Chumleys to "Cool Hand Luke."  Imagine a squirrel barely fazed by a car moving within a few feet!  To be sure, other animals remain a bit twitchy, but I suspect this cool behavior will spread and soon I may see a small army of squirrels highly tolerant of The Man.  That could be interesting.

Squirrel Update

It has been a while since my last check in with the Gray Furry Menace.  For a time there in February I thought the little rascals were going to cause major problems as I shut down feeders and hence the waste seed haul.  But Dudley, Chumley and Lindsey have managed to stay, as much as squirrels can, out of trouble.  One of the idiots does persist in attacking the heavily fortified peanut feeder.  One must expect some behavior like this.  So it is back to the usual foraging under feeders and somehow the trio of tree rats finds enough there.  And my squirrel situation remains optimal.  One can't beat that!

Why We Use Predator Guards

This, dear friends, is why conscientious folks attach predator guards to nest boxes.  This nest box in my back forty has clearly been under assault, probably by a squirrel.  There are gnaw marks on the steel predator guard ring, and some critter made a go of chewing an alternate route into the box.  I imagine had the $1.59 ring not been installed whatever was in the box would have been toast pretty quickly.  Let this be a lesson to all.  Small purchases and a little extra effort can save lives!

Dumb and Dumber

There was a time when I would watch this scene in horror and rage.  But now, not so much.  I even laughed when I watched this attempt by "Chumley" the squirrel to score shelled peanuts. The foolish animal has probably attacked this feeder once or twice a day for months.  And I know the squirrel has failed.  It can't get past the steel.  It can't chew through the steel.  It can't suck out peanuts.  It tries different positions and angles...and gets more frustrated.  And I laugh my head off.  Indeed squirrel dimwittedness can be a most excellent entertainment.  All one needs is the right feeder guards.  Try it for yourself!

Feeder #6: Platform Fighting Squirrels

This sixth in our feeder flotilla is, like yesterday's subject, a hanging platform, but this one is designed to combat the furry grey menace.  The idea is that the grill on the floor of the feeder slows the squirrels down.  Unfortunately, they get in.  That feature does not work.  I see them shake the feeder back and forth, driving seed into the less well protected corners, where they lick up the seeds.  But I very much like this feeder because it is weather protected and relatively mess free.  And so I swapped out sunflower seed for safflower seed, repelling the squirrels in my own way.  And as such this feeder is a huge attraction for the Northern Cardinals.  So while this feeder didn't do exactly what was hoped, it was a valuable addition and brings a great deal to the main station party.

Squirrel Update

Yes, dear readers.  It is time -- indeed, high time, for another update on the doings of those pesky tree rats here at the land of CaryBirdCam.  The little darlings haven't succeeded in causing massive havoc, but they are doing their best.  Seems that one of the rats managed to dislodge the peanut feeder and possibly -- (I have no photo evidence) a tube feeder by spinning the connection lose from its socket.  This phenomenon has migrated from one badly constructed weather dome to now two others.  I blame squirrels.  And the moonbat squirrel designated as "Bretley" (from our northeast vector) has been spending way too much time climbing up and around feeders at the main station.  So far with no results, but squirrels are idiots.  I am delighted that the rats are 0-for-100+ in attempts on the good stuff, but I am increasingly annoyed at their persistent efforts at the same.  It may be a long winter.

An Einstein Among Squirrels

Peanut Butter is a huge, irrestistable temptation to most wretched sciurus carolinensis, and now that our feeder is up for the winter, the squirrel(s) are trying to get at the stuff.  But I have a particularly crafty rat who has worked out some of the defenses against this effort.  Not that this one has gotten into the cage.  Not yet.  But it has figured out how to unscrew the bolt holding the entire assembly from its hanger.  Twice this season I have found the feeder on the ground, and each time I had secured the bolt as tight as possible.  I suspect the devil accidently discovered that by spinning the feeder the bolt could come loose.  Unfortunately I have no evidence.  But it is time to better secure the thing: maybe with a good "super" glue.  This one is an Einstein among squirrels!

Squirrel Update

It's time, dear friends, to give you an update on our favorite backyard nuisance, most wretched sciurus carolinensis, the Grey Squirrel.  Readers know that I like to report on dealings with these little troublemakers, although 2012 has been an incredible success story.  My good fortune just continues on and on: no feeder raiders, no devastation, and no problems.  The animals that show up (and I seem to be down to two right now!) are content to work at ground level below a feeder station and clean up dropped seeds.  I had no idea I would be reaching the point where I almost like to see the rats show up, but indeed it is so.  We have peace with Chumley, and Dudley, and Lindsey, and Brettley.  Will I have as good a winter?  we shall see!

Squirrel Update

Yes, it's time for another squirrel update!  The good news just keeps coming.  The local specimens of most wretched sciurus carolinensis have continued to largely behave, confining their raids only to the cast offs from tube feeders.  I believe I am still dealing with four animals, but recent days I am doubting whether one still lives.  It's getting easier to tell them apart based on their direction of retreat.  Chumley (West), Dudley (South by west) and Lindsey (East) have been much in evidence.  Bretley (Northeast) isn't as obvious to me.  Perhaps he waits until I am out of the premises.  No matter: my tree rat problem continues to be a light one indeed.  This has lasted almost all of 2011 and 2012 combined.  Loving it...

Squirrel Update

I know that some, maybe all of you have read my squirrel posts over the past year and said, "Ha! they may behave now, but that will stop, sure as the sun rises in the east."  But that day has not come.  Our resident squirrels, and there appear to be four of them, continue to be extremely cooperative with the current feeder arrangements.  They are not climbing into feeders, raiding suet, or any of that.  No, these animals park themselves below the northwest feeder tree and content themselves with what can be found there.  And it must be a good deal, as I see squirrels there through much of the day.  But the softy that I am, in appreciation for their good citizenship, dragged out the old platform feeder and throw a few ounces of sunflower seed into it every now and then.  I may even start to like them...

Squirrel Update in the Twilight Zone

It is clear to me that I was wisked away to the Twilight Zone a long time ago.  In the Zone, I have found the squirrels to be right where I want them, and even more improbably, I can be complacent in the face of no less than four of them.  All munching seed contentedly below the north feeders.  And not causing mischief.  And so used to my not needing to harass them that they don't run off unless I get very close.  But facts are that the little SOBs are not causing sufficient nuisance to need harassing.  So the mystery deepens.  This has gone on for much more than a year.  It can't be possible that squirrels are so accomodating.  Do I want to leave this strange corner of the Twilight Zone?