Toddler Birding Update
The Invasion of the Squirrels
You may recall my plans to turn my nephew into a backyard birder. I posted last year while visiting Rochester. If not, you can catch up here:
Thomas continues to fill his feeder and has seen a few birds, including this Pileated Woodpecker. What a great bird to see at two! According to my niece, Molly, this bird spends time between her tree and the neighbor’s garage.
Molly reports that Thomas now watches the birds at the feeder while eating breakfast. This is a big step toward his ability to enjoy the birds. Thomas is too young to record in a journal, so Molly will download the eBird app and keep track of what they see in “Thomas’s BackYard.”
Enter backyard birding hazard number one - the dreaded Squirrel!
It appears they have found a way to destroy the feeder from the bottom ending the feeder.
I headed to Amazon to find “Squirrel Proof” feeders. It’s a mixed bag. Many feeders say they are Squirrel proof, but the reviews say otherwise.
Thomas wanted a “yellow” feeder. Molly found one that said it is easy to fill. Both qualities seem critical to keeping Thomas engaged. It was ordered and should arrive on Friday. Despite it fitting the color bill, the reviews were not favorable for keeping the squirrels out. Time will tell.
I would love to hear if you have found a “Squirrel Proof” feeder that works. Please share your ideas in the comments. The ability to order said product online is a bonus!
You can never have too many bird feeders!
Lots of squirrels in CT. We hang on a shepherds crook from branch and have a baffle on top. Can’t hang too low to ground or close to trunk of tree. Works pretty well. Yankee Mag has some good ones like Droll Yankee.