Backyard Bird Watching 2016-17 edition

[PaulS]

I wonder what I would pay for a squirrel proof feeder. The one I have with a cage works for a while but eventually the just bite through the plexiglass.

[basswipe]

Originally Posted by PaulS

I wonder what I would pay for a squirrel proof feeder. The one I have with a cage works for a while but eventually the just bite through the plexiglass.

See my first post that started this thread.Well worth the money.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...id=27869&r=290

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...id=27870&r=290

The two above feeders are the best on the market.I have the Whipper.That particular online dealer is the cheapest I could find.The second link is for the Flipper and that is truly about the cheapest you will find it.The money you save on not feeding the squirrels makes these feeders well worth it...plus its a hoot watching the squirrels try.

[PaulS]

I saw one similar to that but with an external cage at HD last week. I think it was like $30.

Thanks!

[ProfessorM]

You want the ones that close when they put weight on it. Probably 50 bucks. I have had one for years work perfect. All metal no way in.
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[basswipe]

Originally Posted by PaulS

I saw one similar to that but with an external cage at HD last week. I think it was like $30.

Thanks!

external cages are what allow the squirrels to hang on and chew.

[PaulS]

Originally Posted by basswipe

external cages are what allow the squirrels to hang on and chew.

Good point. I should see if u can cut the cage off bf I buy a new one.
Thanks
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[basswipe]

Originally Posted by PaulS

Good point. I should see if u can cut the cage off bf I buy a new one.
Thanks
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The big issue is once the cage is gone can an adult squirrel hang off the top and reach the feeding ports?

[PaulS]

No.

I just looked at it and it might work.
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[PaulS]

Squirrels are looking skinnier already.
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[basswipe]

Originally Posted by PaulS

Squirrels are looking skinnier already.
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Cutting the cage off worked?

[PaulS]

Yes
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[Raven]

LAUNCHING SQUIRRELS


https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...ched+off+porch

[basswipe]

Originally Posted by Raven

LAUNCHING SQUIRRELS


https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...ched+off+porch

At guess at that point you're intentionally trying to lure the squirrels in!I'll stick with my new feeder,spending much less in seed and pellets.

[Got Stripers]

one dollar large plastic bowl at the dollar tree store, then some axle grease on the 3 foot hanger the feeder is on and they haven't been on any of my feeders since.

[basswipe]

Originally Posted by Got Stripers

one dollar large plastic bowl at the dollar tree store, then some axle grease on the 3 foot hanger the feeder is on and they haven't been on any of my feeders since. Picked up an American Classic pump pellet today however since my biggest issues is the ferrel cats harrassing our pet cat. Figure I'll take out a couple squirrels to thin the population while I'm at it.

The plastic owl will eventually become a perch for the squirrels and then a tool to get at your seed.It will eventually make their lives easier.

The 1077 is a great pellet pistol but one pump won't even phase a squirrel and by the time you're on the 2nd pump the squirrels will already be gone,never mind feral cats.If you want to thin the population think single pump spring-piston rifle,Beeman,RWS,Gamo are great choices.

[Got Stripers]

The grease they absolutely don't like, I've seen them freek out on attempting to climb down the hanger and after a week they haven't made any attempts to repeat it. I can pump the pistol inside and crack a window and from 20 feet, I think they will get the message.

[Guppy]

I luv shooting squirrels :-)

I made a squirrel launcher a couple years ago,,,, great fun,,, check them out on u tube

[Got Stripers]

8 pumps and from 20 feet, three squirrels are back in their nests wishing they had gone to my neighbors feeders or I did enough damage from close range they aren't coming back. Rare to have no squirrels on the ground below the feeders for the second day. Happy to have a couple flickers coming in this year, love the markings on that bird. I have a hawk coming in occasionally to do a little feeding himself, but that is to be expected when you have four feeders going.

[basswipe]

I went down the whole squirrel shooting thing for a long time and after a while it just wasn't worth it.If you don't kill them they eventually come back and new ones replace dead ones.When your not home they'll clean you out anyways.

When I started killing squirrels to watch birds it ceased being birdwatching.I finally made the investment in a real squirrel-proof feeder,put away the rifle and now actually relax and watch the birds,the only thing that will be doing any killing at my feeder from now on will the neighborhood Sharpie.

[basswipe]

The feeders have been super-active this afternoon attracting a twilight visitor.

[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.

[Raven]

visitor i captured on film today

[basswipe]

This guy has been a frequent visitor:

[Raven]

Never saw these birds before....
then up the hill i saw a flock of around 40-60 of-em
doing all these "blue angels " maneuvers
and they'd return back to the electrical wires...

[basswipe]

Great pics Raven.