Squirrels in the birdseed
Squirrels like to steal the food you put out for the birds and they are quite difficult to deter, but they provide a lot of entertainment in return.
It seems we are often trying to modify the behavior of animals to make them fit into our world better. In my last blog entry, Spiders, Birds & Stabilimenta, and in my recent article, When Birds Attack Windows..., I explored the problem of having birds attacking windows, mirrors, and other shiny surfaces - really more of a problem for the bird than for the human. Another common "problem" for the backyard bird feeder is squirrels.
Yes, squirrels can go through a lot of bird seed, and these crafty, agile, determined seed thieves can defy all efforts to discourage them. It's endlessly entertaining to watch their acrobatics as they figure out how to get around your latest architectural squirrel deterrent. I once saw a fence post armed with four inch spikes situated beneath a hanging feeder. It seems the squirrels were leaping from this post to the feeder, so the bird enthusiast tried to make the top of the post prohibitively uninviting - it looked deadly to me, but it didn't even slow them down.
In Nova Scotia, we have red squirrels. There are always a few in the small patch of woods beside the house. They have a route that runs right along the back of our property - Hurricane Juan took out a few key trees a couple of years ago, but the squirrels simply leap the gap in heart stopping aerial acrobatics that are wonderful to watch. At other times, they cross the street via a telephone line as though it was a suspension bridge made just for them, and they casually cross my roof from the maple to the pine, which saves quite a bit of traveling time when you are in a hurry.
At this time of year, the young squirrels appear, chattering and squealing in the trees, chasing each around tree trunks and along impossibly slender branches. Their play must be great agility practice. They visit my feeders and leave little piles of sunflower seed husks beneath my barbeque stand.
You have probably figured out that I like squirrels - and I don't begrudge them the birdseed in return for the entertainment. I think, what with all the cats and traffic around here, they need all the help they can get. I realize though, that my squirrels are not much of a problem compared to the voracious hordes in some localities. In my next article, I'll explore the possibilities for saving some of your birdseed for the birds.
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