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How Does Super Squirrel Get Past the Squirrel Baffle?
There must be a group of hybrid grey squirrels in the yard. Super athletes who jump higher and stretch farther. For the longest time it seems there’s been no hanky-panky going on with the front bird feeder, but lately it’s really been out of hand! The shepherd’s hook, complete with squirrel baffle has been successful at keeping squirrels from the feeder…until now.After finding the feeder broken on the ground one morning, I salvaged the bottom bowl and crafted a new weather guard by bending an old metal one to fit the space between pole and arm of the stand . Tightening the hardware, and moving the squirrel baffle upwards, surely would fix this problem? Nope. The next day while sitting outside, the sound of clanking metal started grating on my nerves. Time to revisit the feeder!
Removing the weather guard, I placed the feeder at the very top of the hook’s arm. Using 2 small bungee cords to secure the hanger worked great until the rainy season started in Georgia. Back to the drawing board. Now returning the bent weather guard, I raised the feeder, which only allowed a small space for birds’ entry. The squirrel baffle was again moved up as far as it would go, touching the bottom of the feeder. So far, so good! It looks a little strange, but the birds don’t seem to mind. The squirrels around here must have gotten hold of steroids or something because their ability to get into feeders has been absolutely uncanny!
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A Little Overboard with Squirrel Baffles?
When feeding wild birds, squirrels sure can be a nuisance! They seem to get into every feeder possible, and once they do gain access, they eat everything in site. Little pigs! Squirrel baffles are very effective at deterring squirrels from feeders, until they figure out how to get past them! There’s always one in the crowd, super-squirrel who can jump higher, or reach farther.Whether pole mounted or hanging, placement is important. You must remember the horizontal launching point. This is where squirrels will jump from to get at your feeder.
Raccoons can also wreak havoc on bird feeders and houses. A friend recently told me the sad story of a chickadee nest raid by his new tenant, Rocky. Prompted by this incident, they ordered not one-but four large post-mount squirrel baffles to protect the birdhouses. A few days later, they ordered four more! What does one do with all those baffles?
See the pics…just in case you don’t believe me!
Here’s the first 3: (That’s a leaf mister attached to the back post)
and here’s the fourth:
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Simple Nesting Material for Your Birds
Entice and encourage birds to nest in your yard with simple materials found around your home. Although there are all kinds of cool nesting material kits out there, you can do this one yourself… easily!Start with a suet cage or even a mesh produce bag, like the kind apples come in at the grocery store. Next time you empty the lint basket in your clothes dryer, nix that soft, fluffy material as it’s just not natural.
Got a cat or dog? Pet hair is keeper. If you brush your pet, save the hair that accumulates in their brush. But steer clear if Fido or Fluffy has been treated with flea & tick meds. If you happen to have a horse… even better! The nesting material shown here is horse hair. Mostly from the mane and tail, it makes for great stuff to help bind the birds’ gatherings into a nest.
Ever work with silk or dried flowers? The decorative moss, especially Spanish or sphagnum moss is wonderful. Stuff a little moss into the nesting ball too, but keep strands short. They even like bits of raffia and especially feathers. Hang your nest ball from a branch in a visible spot for birds to easily see it. Somewhere in the proximity of existing bird feeders or birdhouses is best. Don’t pack the materials too tightly as a generous air flow dries them quicker after rain.
Simple materials from around your home, that are usually discarded, make for great nesting materials to help birds thrive and flourish in your backyard. You can entice birds to stick around, without adding more feeders and houses, but by offering valuable nesting material for them to help raise their families. Don’t forget the shallow fresh water too!
Birding Tips, Information & News
