Hello,
I have been feeding the birds for about 14 months now and it's been so wonderful to see so many different birds using the feeder from robins, bluetits, great tits, goldfinch, greenfinches, siskens and the one that has shocked me the most, great spotted woodpeckers. I saw a whole family grow up in the Summer, was so lovely. Recently the squirrels have clocked on to the food even though it's been there for ages and it's just become relentless so I got a guardian cage but only wanted to use half the cage as it was stopping my lovely woodpeckers from coming. I've now had to put the full cage on it but they just won't give up and there are 2/3 squirrels sometimes taking it in turns to try and get the food. I even saw yesterday that they actually jumped at the woodpecker to scare it off and it's really quite upsetting.
I understand that they need to eat too and I would feed them if I knew it wouldn't make them eat the seed and scare birds away but I'm not convinced that would work. To try it out I have put some peanuts on the ground for them to have as a sort of distraction method.
Does anyone have any tips as what was such an amazing and pleasurable site has actually become quite stressful.
Here's a video from the Summer with one of the babies being fed ️
Lovely video clip and nice to have GSWoodpeckers visiting your garden and feeder. In our last large woodland garden grey squirrels were always a huge problem and even squirrel proof feeders and guardians did not stop all of them. The only system that was 100% successful (and believe me I tried everything ! ) is to have a free standing feeder pole which is placed well away from any likely "launch pad" as squirrels can leap over 2 metres. Depends on how large your garden is and if you can get the feeder pole around 2 and half metres away from any likely platform they could leap from. This was our set up (we had two of them) and placed a baffle dome to prevent the squirrels shinnying up to reach the feeders. This is an old photo but it will give you an idea of the set up. Good luck.
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Regards, Hazel
Hi Hazel,
Thank you very much for replying. I've just been outside and seen it's managed to break one of the metal joins to the guardian and slide down inside it. I'm so sad about the woodpeckers as I don't want them to be scared off.
This is the second time I've heard about a dome and feeding station. Where did you purchase those from out of interest? I'm tempted to get a dome to put over the top of the feeder and guardian as it can't get inside it then!
Alex
The dome would need to be under the feeder, Alex, or the squirrels will just climb the feeder pole and attack from below. They are very ingenious lol
Maybe that's half the problem, I don't have a feeder pole. I just use the feeder on a branch on the tree but like I say, for 14 months it's not even been a problem I'll have a look at poles and domes and things and see where stocks them
here is a link to a company I've used. Most garden centre and diy places sell them too (B&Q, Homebase etc) as well as the rspb shop
As Hazel said, you need a good distance between "launch pads" and the feeder.... good Luck
Ah yes I've looked at them before and the RSPB shop.Thank you. Not sure I'll be able to move it elsewhere so probably need to think of something else as there are dogs in the household that keep eating the seed that's dropping down and where it hangs at the moment is out the way of the dogs.
Squirrels will use any accessible method to reach feeders, they are just that determined as you have seen. I wouldn't be attaching feeders to a branch as it's not going to deter squirrels. If you can place a feeder pole with an extension pole and baffle dome just below the feeders and place the pole over 2 metres away from trees, fences you can attach seed catchers to the bottom of each seed feeder if you are bothered about the dogs eating the fallen seeds. Catchers are good at reducing any seed fall. Here's the baffle dome that I purchased; they are a bit pricey but saves you a fortune preventing the squirrels who can eat their weight in seeds if given an opportunity. !! Here's the feeder pole, extension pole, and feeder hooks and you may need to place the pole in a stabiliser or heavy base These are examples, as prices can vary so search different companies or look in your local garden centre that sells feeders, etc, Expensive to set up but you will save on expensive bird food in the long term. Here's a seed catcher example. Good luck.