[va-richmond-general] Re: Backyard feeding in general

Katya,

We dealt with the squirrel problem about two years ago. Among others in the
Audubon Society, I volunteered to help out with the Society booth at the
Maymont Flower and Garden Show. While I was on break, I browsed through the
show and found a feeder by Droll Yankees at a place called Wild Bird Center,
costing about $120. I bought one and put it up. It consists of a tube with
four holes in the bottom for feeding by birds, and a ring around the bottom
for them to perch on them, which can't take much weight. They can still
feed, as they are light. But when a squirrel gets on it, it is too heavy.
The ring spins the squirrel around and around and then flings him off.
Actually I have not seen that too much. A few times of that and the
squirrels get the message and leave it alone. 

We also have a suet feeder that is suspended from a post out in the back
yard; this post also accommodates the throw-squirrel feeder, a thistle
feeder, and in the summer, a hummingbird feeder. On the ground we have a
bird bath with a water warmer (for freezing weather) and a wiggler, keeping
the water in motion, avoiding mosquitoes and enticing birds. Once in a while
we throw out corn cobs - usually they disappear; the squirrels drag them
away. This setup has given us good results, with lots of woodpeckers,
especially downy and red-bellied ones, feeding at our site. We get lots of
other common birds as well, as well as some unusual ones: a tufted towhee,
crows, song sparrows, huge flocks of robins (we also have holly and pear
trees), and once in a great while, somewhere in our area, a pileated
woodpecker.

Try the Droll Yankees squirrel thrower. I think it is worth the money.

Jim Blowers

-----Original Message-----
From: va-richmond-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:va-richmond-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of katya
Sent: Tuesday, 2006 January 24 12:16
To: va-richmond-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [va-richmond-general] Backyard feeding in general

I can't get Woodpeckers or don't know how.  I put out a suet feeder for
about two days.  The squirrels went nuts and wouldn't let any other animals
near it.  They were hopping through pots of pansies breaking their stems.
When I took the suet feeder down, Hell really broke lose.  Windchimes were
flung around.  It was getting pretty savage.  I had done them wrong and now,
I am afraid of further damage.  I have no hanging feeders.  The metal one I
used last year, I padlocked to a metal plant post.  The squirrels got to it
just fine (by trampling pansies to death), but at least they didn't knock it
down and fling it in the alley.  I'd love sugestions.  Please, don't
recommend anything expensive.  I had heard of hanging a suet-feeder
horizontally.  Has anyone tried that?

In order to learn birdsongs, I have been using "Songs of some New York State
birds" on-line.  Could anyone recommend another website?  I have the cd
"birding by Ear." 

Thanks for any suggestions,

Katie Holzback
South of the James 

 
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