The squirrels would regularly hoist themselves up the narrow pole and nibbles at the bird food.
Hubby added two layers to deter them. They managed to negotiate these obstacles so drainpipe was added. Now this worked for a while as the squirrel could not get a grip but then soon learnt a shimmying technique. The canes that you see are to deter the squirrel from launching from the miniature pear tree across to the feeder.
At the weekend the black layer was added and although this made it more difficult and would slip off but still managed to get to the feeders. So string was then attached with weights on. Clever squirrel still managed to outwit my husband.
Yesterday I noticed that tennis balls had been added to the black layer. Quite amusing that as the squirrel attempted to climb, the balls would fall causing it to scamper.
First thing every morning hubby checks for squirrel activity and witness a squirrel on the feeders,
So apples that have fallen from a nearby tree are then added. So now waiting to see what the squirrel does next.
We are surrounded by trees and lots of squirrels but it appears to be the more mature one that is the most determined.
The squirrels are funny to watch as the move around the obstacle trying to work out their next move.
Not sure what hubby has planned for his next move but I think that the squirrel will win this battle.
Fortunately this does not put the birds off.
Haaa!!! Such determination on both sides. Why not use some grease on the pole, or on the rim of the birdfeeder, where the birds don't rest, but the squirrels would :D Just a thought. I don't know if it works. But it looks like this requires a bit of brainstorming for crazy ideas.
@monikozi yes he did suggest grease but I was concerned for the squirrel as they rely on climbing. Didn’t want the find squirrels in the garden that had fallen out of the trees.
Crikey what a great shot and story. Squirrels are pretty determined and I suppose they have to eat too just as the birds do.
We don't have squirrels here but we do have possums and I have to admit I do put out fruit for them in winter. Possums are nocturnal though so aren't a threat to the birds food chain. I seem to feed everything in our garden, it costs me a fortune.
This picture has to be accompanied by the “Mission Impossible” music! Don’t know if you ever saw that advert some years ago, with squirrels working out how to beat obstacles. Think it was for Carling Black Label.
Too funny! This reminds me of my parents. Way back in the 80s and 90s, they had a birdfeeder hanging from a long beam projecting from their balcony on the upper story above a walkout basement level. Hanging just above the feeder itself was a big wide metal umbrella-like (?) thing shaped like the cover for a wok. The squirrels would climb out onto the beam but if they tried to get onto the metal thing in order to get under it to the feeder, it would tip and dump them off. Mom said it was so funny to see the squirrels creep out on that beam and lie there studying it. She said she could just see the wheels turning in the little squirrel brains trying to figure out how to get past it to the seed. 🤣
We don't have squirrels here but we do have possums and I have to admit I do put out fruit for them in winter. Possums are nocturnal though so aren't a threat to the birds food chain. I seem to feed everything in our garden, it costs me a fortune.