Birds and squirrels - again! February 2014

Has anyone found a squirrel proof bird feeder? I have tried an expensive specialised feeder and found it useless - the seed fell out of the bottom of it and most of it over a day fell onto the floor! It has been back to the suppliers and they "adjusted" it and sent it back - but the same thing happens again. I don't mind the squirrels getting a bit of the food I put out but it annoys me when they come first and eat up all the best bits and the poor birds are left with whatever they don't eat!
  • Hi Elvira. From everything I've read of everyone's experiences of Squirrels, it would appear that there are very few feeders that a Squirrel will fail to break into. I know that some people use a domed baffle on the lower part of feeder poles to prevent the Squirrels access to the feeders ( assuming that the feeders are on a feeding station and not hanging from a tree, fence or bush). Others I believe use a guard which covers ground feeders. I think you can also buy feeders which are especially designed for the use of Squirrels. This may help to keep the Squirrels from using the other feeders. Hope this helps.

    Paul

    My bird photos HERE

  • I have a washing line that is far enough away from the ground and anything tall that they can't get to it at all. I also have a ground based guardian, link below, that when on the smallest opening the squirrels cannot get into.

    To be honest, I am extremely concerned when it comes do grey squirrels and predation of nests that I take extra care to ensure they get the minimal amount feed from me!

    oops, forgot the link!

    http://shopping.rspb.org.uk/birds-wildlife/bird-feeders/feeder-guardians/adjustable-ground-feeding-sanctuary.html

  • Have to say the washing line sounds like a good idea and so simple!    I will have a look at the link you gave me - thanks.   Like you I don't want to encourage the squirrels in any way and as I have a large hazelnut nut tree at one end of the garden I think there is enough on that for the squirrels!