Backyard Bird Watching 2016-17 edition

[Raven]

we have been bringing in our plastic mesh (turkey wrap) suet feeders
to thaw because at -6 they get hard as a rock.

when placed above a bird feeder roof tiny pieces land there for
the little ones ... like gold finches

[FishermanTim]

I've had too many of the cheap plastic tube feeders destroyed by the tree rats. They will gnaw thru the opening to get as all the seeds, spilling them on the ground.

One unfortunate TR cut its paw pretty badly on the cracked plastic (based on the blood on it).

Used to use my bb rifle to scare them away until I got one with a "thru shot" to the head. Never thought that bb could travel that fast to blow its brain out but that was the last time I used it.

Now I have my feeders where they can only get them if they learn how to fly or operate a ladder.

When they are at their worst, they get into EVERYTHING!
They repeatedly dig up my garden beds looking for acorns they never planted there. I think that a launcher is in the near future, so that I can at least enjoy their demise!!!

[Got Stripers]

We have had three tube feeders hanging from low hanging spruce trees, but when you are one of the few feeding in the area, the hundreds of birds put enough on the ground that they rarely climb down. The large plastic bowls and axle grease seemed to be the final deterrent this year and the pump pellet is now thinning out the rest. Amazing how accurate and powerful that little pump pistol is, broke a spin this morning and send a second limping back up the tree. We have had 4-5 regulars and I think I have probably hurt or killed them all by now. Helps to have windows that open quietly and only 15 yards from where they are sitting, you just need to go to the opposite side of the house to pump as quietly as possible.

[basswipe]

Originally Posted by Got Stripers

We have had three tube feeders hanging from low hanging spruce trees, but when you are one of the few feeding in the area, the hundreds of birds put enough on the ground that they rarely climb down. The large plastic bowls and axle grease seemed to be the final deterrent this year and the pump pellet is now thinning out the rest. Amazing how accurate and powerful that little pump pistol is, broke a spin this morning and send a second limping back up the tree. We have had 4-5 regulars and I think I have probably hurt or killed them all by now. Helps to have windows that open quietly and only 15 yards from where they are sitting, you just need to go to the opposite side of the house to pump as quietly as possible.

Why go through all that?

By the time you are said and done you'll have spent 4-5 times in $$$ on grease,plastic bowls,pellets and most importantly seed than it would cost to buy a true squirrel-proof feeder.

The shooting of the squirrels is fun for awhile but it eventually becomes a chore especially in the dead of Winter and you'll eventually get tired of it,trust me.And as far as the dead ones go who wants to spend the time skinning and dressing them,most folks don't know what do with them as far as prep for the pot goes.

[Got Stripers]

Originally Posted by basswipe

Why go through all that?

By the time you are said and done you'll have spent 4-5 times in $$$ on grease,plastic bowls,pellets and most importantly seed than it would cost to buy a true squirrel-proof feeder.

The shooting of the squirrels is fun for awhile but it eventually becomes a chore especially in the dead of Winter and you'll eventually get tired of it,trust me.And as far as the dead ones go who wants to spend the time skinning and dressing them,most folks don't know what do with them as far as prep for the pot goes.

Sold my center console and have large tube of grease left, two bowls at the dollar tree cost me a dollar, tails I saved for dressing up some older Mepps spinners; not cost or trouble for me so far.

[basswipe]

Originally Posted by Got Stripers

Sold my center console and have large tube of grease left, two bowls at the dollar tree cost me a dollar, tails I saved for dressing up some older Mepps spinners; not cost or trouble for me so far.

To each his own.All I can say is I spent many years doing exactly what you're doing and in the end you'll spend money.

All I do now is go outside pour 5lbs of seed into the feeders once a week and do nothing but watch.No guns,grease or cheezy plastic bowls involved.