Feeder Bandit

TonyCooper

I have a bird feeder placed outside so I can photograph visitors from the window in the room where I have the computer (and where I spend most of my at-home time). I had an open container on a post, but the squirrels took over and the birds won't come. I bought one of those plastic tube feeders and hung it from a j-shaped plant holder about 4' off the ground.

The squirrels won't give up, though. At first, I had the feeder placed too close to a tree and the squirrels would leap from the tree to the feeder. Because they had to stretch down from the top of the feeder to reach the holes in the tube, they got very little food for their efforts. Finally, they managed to knock the feeder off the bracket and feasted on the spilled feed on the ground.

I affixed the feeder more securely and put it back up further from the tree. This morning, one particular squirrel has attempted to shinny up the holder (a 1/2" round rod) a dozen times or more, but has fallen back each time. That squirrel, as I write this, is on the ground by the base of the pole evidencing obvious agitation. The tail is flicking up and down, and its entire posture is one of frustration and anger.

I know I could fabricate a squirrel barrier out of tin to stop the squirrel from climbing the stand, but the squirrel is so much fun to watch that it seems a shame to do so.

He finally made it to the top. Here he is, planning his next move:

Khristen

we had bothersome squirrels and I gave up too. I finally had to put a separate feeder ATTACHED to their tree to try to keep them out of the bird feeder lol:D

Harryb

Good capture of a tree rat attempting a nefarious deed.

jnsuffolk

Had the same problem. I finally made a feeder that attaches to my window and put it halfway up so its more than 6 feet above the ground. Now my biggest pain is the blackbirds.