Squirrelly Wrath

 Dec 8, 2024


Well, how did this happen? I actually captured it on video (see below)


This was a rough ride to the ground, but the bounty was worth it! After using zip ties to repair the feeder, and several iterations of re-positioning the baffles, a modification to the upper dome baffle seems to have done the trick.

The hook attached to the wire on top passes through the small flange (mini-dome) on the top of the baffle. It was designed to be loose and could easily move, and allowed the weight of the squirrel to tilt the entire baffle vertically, so they could steer themselves down the side of the lower torpedo baffle in freefall, and latch onto the feeder with a paw while on the way down. Several of them got quite talented at this, but Super Glue around the small flange cemented it to the larger baffle and the offenders can no longer tilt the baffle anywhere close to the vertical that they could do before. There have been no intrusions since then; in fact it appears that they've given up!! I haven't even seen an attempt that would motivate me to bother making a new video.

So now they have to content themselves with eating spillage on the ground, and they must be doing OK because they look very well-fed.

With the feeder back in business (for birds...), some new customers have arrived for the winter. On top is a Red-Bellied Woodpecker, and just below is a Pine Warbler.



The high-tech feeder with the camera has still not been infiltrated, but a Mockingbird has decided that it's his personal property. He often sits on the neighboring Holly bush and chases off any birds that try to settle down to feed. The Mockingbird is also a very sloppy eater, spraying seed all over, so he might be on the squirrel payroll! Regardless, he is the winner of the "First Annual Avian Asshole" Award! Here he is on candid camera:




For those who miss the shore birds that I always saw in FL, I finally captured a local GBH on camera. It was from far away and looks a bit like a Bigfoot photo from years ago, but I've seen him by the local neighborhood pond and will be watching for him!




This may be the final post that is web-hosted by Wix; their price is skyrocketing and I will be looking for alternatives very soon (coupled with a plan to have a new photo store on Etsy). If you are on the email list or see these posts on FB, you will get future content in some way.... just not web hosted by Wix. If you have suggestions, feel free to send an email or a private message.

Merry Christmas to all!!








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