Desperate times call for Desperate Bird Feeder Measures

The squirrels were driving us crazy. We filled this bird feeder over and over and over again. We'd fill it in the morning and by the end of the day it would be empty and dumped all over the ground. We weren't sure exactly how it was happening until we realized it must be the crazy critters.

Finally we caught them in the act and since our hanging bird feeder did not qualify as 'squirrel-proof' we decided to take matters into our own hands. We rigged up a device that you see here. It's metal spikes surrounding the top of the feeder which was secured to the feeder using...you guess it....duct tape! What other options did we have, and duct tape is so versatile.

It worked for a little while. The squirrels are hungry though...they messed around with it from the tree branches spinning it so that seeds fall out. They know that swinging the bird feeders will result in seeds flying and they will have access to that food on the ground. That leads to other issues such as contamination and decay from rotting seeds.

All in all it did deter the squirrels for a while but they are persistent and determined. Its fun to come up with ways to outsmart the little critters and the battle isn't over yet. There are also lots of different types of bird feeders out there to try.

Travelling Bird

I was cruising around news articles and saw this one about a plane delayed in South Korea because there was a bird on board. A sparrow had boarded a passenger plane and they had trouble getting it out so that they could take off.
Maybe it did not have a current passport?

Hand Feeding the little Chickadees

Years ago I used to hike quite a bit. I still enjoy hiking and how close it brings me to nature but the reality of kids is that I don't get out as much as I used to. There is this conservation area that I frequented quite a bit and when I was energetic I'd do the 10 km route. But if I wanted to save time and do a short hike I'd go to the falls which was probably 1.5 kilometres and surrounded by beautiful pine trees. The view of the water was spectacular.

But the real reason I went was to take birdseed and feed the chickadees. I would fill my hand with seed that I had purchased at the local hardware store and just sit and wait. Sometime it was a few minutes and once I think I sat there for over half an hour. Eventually they did come feeling comfortable enough to perch on my fingers as they gobbled up the food.

I loved the experience and shared it with my son also. It's been a while since I've been there so I hope the birds are still around when I get a chance to return.
Besides the birdhouses and bird feeders that we have in the backyard we also have a specific chickadee feeder which they frequent often.

The Squirrel is Back

So the 'pool noodle' tactic was effective..for obvious reasons. And now I need to resort to further resources to get rid of the squirrels. Its not just because they empty the bird feeder onto the ground, eat all the bird seed, scare away the birds, climb all over the birdhouse and eat the flowers and trees in the garden that I want to eradicate the squirrels. No...its not just those things...

It must be because they look like rodents and they also leave their mark on our pool cover and stamp through the garden. Try as I might I cannot think of a good reason why squirrels even exist. I wonder how many hours people devote to researching how to get rid of these creatures.

My investigation of this issue turned up a potential solution in pepper. Not knowing how expensive black pepper actually is I took the large container we had (that normally refills the table shaker) and put it everywhere. By that I mean I walked the entire yard and shook it on the trees, grass, bird feeder, birdhouse, garden...you name it I covered it in pepper.

The squirrels were back the next day. Why didn't this work?

Out, Damned Squirrel!

(Out, Damned Spot! Macbeth - Act V, Scene I)

This title is completely appropriate for the squirrel-hating population that are trying to attract birds to their backyards. It might seem a bit harsh to use the word hate but I have mixed feelings about our rodent friends. They are a living creature and deserve our respect but boy can they create a challenge sometimes.

Chasing the squirrels away from your birdhouse or bird feeder is not a new pastime for anyone who loves birds. There is a lot of interesting and varied information about this on the internet. I've looked at some of it myself.

Our squirrel antics have recently resorted to my young son chasing the beasts away from the yard with a pool noodle. Now I'm sure you can quickly assess how successful this tactic has been. However inappropriate it may seem my six year old son honestly believes that the squirrel should know he lives there and cannot understand why he keeps coming back? In his own mind's eye is he the incredible hulk and not to be reckoned with.

What the inside of a Birdhouse really looks like!

Whether its function or form that dominates your decision when choosing a birdhouse for your garden its important to keep a few criteria in mind. As fun as it is to choose a stylish birdhouse there are some features that will help ensure the birds enjoy the house as much as you do.

Whatever style you choose it needs to be accessible through an entrance hole suitable for the type of bird you desire. You need the right amount of space for birds to nest but not excessively large as this can be frustrating for birds. Our flighty friends like white and/or neutral colors and houses made of wood.

Of course you don't want moisture to build up inside so water has to be able to drain and air needs to circulate. To stay clean it has to be accessible with a removable panel. An overhang is another nice feature as it provides shelter from the elements.

Ever wonder how the house might look and feel to the birds on the inside?
Check out this Google Video - This is a bird's paradise!



For birdhouses like this take a look at these....

http://www.instylebirdhouses.com

Birds of a Feather

I really like catchy titles so this one hit me while I was gazing into the backyard one day. Usually I only see one or two birds at a time in the yard. Often it's the mourning doves that come as a pair or the occasional blue jay. The smaller varieties also visit our little bird feeder a few at a time.

However the other day I saw 20-25 house finches in our backyard. They sat on the rear fence flitting between the grass on the back of our lawn and the top of the fence. It was puzzling to me what they were up to finally realizing that it was the seed on the top of the grass they were interested in. Our lawn was overdue for a trim and the birds were enjoying it. I couldn't get the camera out in time to capture it but it was a neat sight.

Just as quickly as I noticed it so did the squirrel that visits us often. He bolted towards the birds running from the neighbor's dog and scared them out of the grass and the yard and they were gone.

But I did realize....sometimes it pays not to cut the lawn.

What a piece of work is a Birdhouse!

(What a piece of work is a man! Hamlet - Act II, Scene III)

This birdhouse is my inspiration! This tiny house (pictured here) is a treasure for me. It was my first foray into birdhousing and our attempt to invite the creatures to our backyard. My son was bursting with pride, as he brought it home and presented it to me in all it's bright blue glory, a piece of art that he had created in his Beaver group.

They had made the birdhouses as part of unit on learning to enjoy and appreciate nature. Blue was his favorite color at the time and we felt this house deserved a place in our yard garden. I don't think I've seen a single bird use the house but nonetheless it remains in the yard.

One year later a second attempt to select a birdhouse allowed us to ensure that some more stringent requirements were met when we purchased the house. Details such as drainage, air flow, entry hole size and access to the interior to clean it became priorities. Our first birdhouse didn't have all these features but now we are getting smarter in attracting birds.

To Birdhouse or Not to Birdhouse, that is the question!

(To Be, or Not to Be, That is the Question! Hamlet - Act III, Scene I)

The question is not whether I like birds because really...who doesn't like birds? There are so many beautiful varieties although most of the exotic kinds don't end up in my backyard. It's only at 5:00 AM when I am trying to get back to sleep after a late night feeding that the singing of the birds, although beautiful, makes restful slumber challenging for a light sleeper.

However I do love birds and I often catch the sight of two triumphant blue jays sipping water or darling yellow finches and black-capped chickadees flitting through the trees looking for a snack. I am quite excited to see the birds enjoy the bird feeders in our backyard and will shout out to my family to come and enjoy the view. I laugh as my young son presses his face to the window straining to get a glimpse of what I have advertised. It's wonderful to share that with him and help him appreciate nature.

I really want to add birdhouses to the backyard for the aesthetics, as well as the opportunity to attract a broader spectrum of birds.

The question truly is..."if I hang it will they come"?