Our squirrel baffle acts as a ledge for the squirrels to get up on the platform feeder. :-( Today in the platform feeder with no cover, I have had ground feeders Juncos and doves, plus a Carolina wren.. along with the usual titmouse, cardinal, blue jay, chickadee, finches. The doves often use it as a resting place and just hunkered down on it, keeping the other birds out. The Carolina wren also visits the feeder on the window that has nothing but sunflower seeds in it. Millie Farmer St. Matthews, KY ----- Original Message ----- From: Susan Ammons To: lindaolangley@xxxxxxxxx Cc: birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Friday, December 04, 2009 12:56 PM Subject: [birdky] Re: re critter proof feeders "That worked until they began working in tandem with one holding it open while the other feasted." WOW! That's amazing. I have my feeders on poles with squirrel baffles about 4' up the poles. They work great. The baffles were purchased from Wild Bird and Nature Store in Bowling Green. _____________________ Susan Ammons susan.ammons@xxxxxxxxxxxxx saa236@xxxxxxxxx cell) 270-784-2836 Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving. -Albert Einstein On Wed, Dec 2, 2009 at 8:09 PM, Linda Langley <lindaolangley@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: I have tried the bird food infused with hot chilies and the first squirrel who tried it went home and said "Hot dang, Ethel, get the kids and let's go, we're having Mexican tonight". They loved it. I tried the feeder where the weight of the bird did not close the feeding port, but the weight of a squirrel closed it. That worked until they began working in tandem with one holding it open while the other feasted. They are such clever little things. My favorite feeders were on my deck and were open with screen wire bottoms. My cat loved to be on the deck and she never even threatened a bird, nor were they deterred by her presence, but she was my best defense against squirrels. They did not tempt her. Of course, at night when she was inside, the raccoons and flying squirrels dined royally. I live on a very large farm now and hesitate to feed the birds, because of attracting mice, rats, etc., too close to my house and in return, quite large snakes. Been there already. Oooooh. I always read your posts and enjoy them. LL. I must try the baffles.