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Post by gardendmpls on Mar 24, 2021 18:44:33 GMT -5
one of those spinning bird feeders where the squirrel jumps onto it and, in the ad pictures, it twirls and twirls flying around til it lets go. I would like to try that. I wouldn't. It twirls pretty fast and the squirrel goes flying off at high speed. I would worry about a cruel injury. I can't believe they showed a squirrel on the ground after flying off and he was still twirling in circles like he had a brain injury. They probably thought he was just dizzy and that the image was cute, but I would think a dizzy squirrel would be staggering around. There are more humane ways to kill squirrels, if that is the end result wanted.
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Mar 24, 2021 19:51:55 GMT -5
gardendmpls, haven't you ever done that to yourself as a kid, spin around so hard and fast ya wind up on the floor? I did several times.
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Post by gardendmpls on Mar 25, 2021 0:49:58 GMT -5
I have, but I didn't go as fast as that spinner did, did not go flying off through the air into a wall, and when I sat down I just sat and watched the room go around. The squirrel in the ad, on the other hand, spun at a fast speed on the motorized feeder, went flying in the direction of a wall and when he landed he kept running around in a tight circle. I have seen head injured animals do just that. In another video, the squirrel appeared to have his head smacked on a tree as he spun around, which knocked him off the feeder. Next time you see the ad, watch more closely. I found a similar video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfHu-UJaK0QThe following article describes the pros and cons of these feeders.: Pro: squirrels learn quickly to avoid the feeder. Cons: very expensive. uses NiCad batteries which must be fully discharged before recharging. If not, they won't hold as much of a charge (the article gives a remedy for when this happens). www.whatbirdsareinmybackyard.com/2020/03/are-squirrel-spinner-bird-feeders-any-good.html
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Post by Latitude33 on Jul 9, 2021 19:54:47 GMT -5
haven't you ever done that to yourself as a kid, spin around so hard and fast ya wind up on the floor? I did several times. You just described most of my weekends...
Hey kinda off topic question that doesn't involve squirrels in astronaut training programs...anyone place their old seed supplies in the bird feeder? Any unexpected results?
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Post by Wheelgarden on Apr 10, 2023 16:42:37 GMT -5
Our squirrels seem almost tame sometimes. We had the door propped open a bit today, and one walked just indoor at the threshold to see how the humans nest. She was quickly dissuaded.
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Post by gardendmpls on Apr 10, 2023 23:00:17 GMT -5
Wheelgarden, I once rescued an ill baby squirrel. Got it returned to the "wild". A year later we had the balcony door open and a squirrel walked in, looked around the house like, "where's my treats" and then walked out. We know it was the same squirrel.
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Post by breezygardener on Apr 11, 2023 11:19:57 GMT -5
They can be pesky (we had one nesting in our attic one year), but I can't do them any harm. Pretty much the only deterrent I've used is chili-oil treated seed once in a while, but I'm even not crazy about that because I'm afraid of the birds getting the oil into their eyes.
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Post by Mumsey on Apr 11, 2023 16:26:33 GMT -5
Since I changed out feeder for one that is cylindrical with only perches for birds to feed from we have not had the squirrels trying to get into it. Sure makes the seed last longer too!
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Jun 18, 2023 14:17:48 GMT -5
First time I have ever had a mockingbird come to suet cake in the backyard, has been visiting all day. It is made with mealworms.
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Post by Mumsey on Jun 20, 2023 4:50:49 GMT -5
The neighbor's cat, Mr. Grey, has taken to laying about 3 feet from the bird feeder. He seems to like our shady spot. He's watching the feeder.....
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Jun 20, 2023 11:57:48 GMT -5
hmmm Wonder what's on his mind!!
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Aug 19, 2023 20:19:17 GMT -5
i have a bird feeder that is not a hummingbird feeder. And there are quite a few yellow jackets going through the ports into the seed. Not sure if the birds are bothered by them or not.
Was thinking of spraying vinegar on the seed to see if they go away. Think the birds will mind? I am thinking not because there are the pepper spices to shake on them to chase squirrels out of the seed.
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Aug 22, 2023 5:51:42 GMT -5
I put vinegar soaked cotton balls in the feeder. The bees were upset with them flying around and in and out of the ports. Went out, came back a few hours later... most the cotton balls were pushed out and on the ground under the feeder. Someone on fb suggested using almond oil.
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Post by gardendmpls on Aug 22, 2023 8:00:03 GMT -5
Not sure if the birds are bothered by them or not. If you're not sure, they probably aren't. Insectivorous birds would eat the yellow jackets (many birds eat both seeds and insects). Yellow jackets are pollinators and also eat flies, beetle grubs and other garden pests. They do scavenge high protein foods, such as fish, meat and insects as well as high carb sugary foods such as nectar and fruit. The high protein foods are for their larvae. If you have fruit in the feeder, that might attract them. If the seed is infested with insect larvae, they would come to feed on them as well. Unless I saw an actual problem with them and the birds, I would leave them be.
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Feb 6, 2024 20:38:26 GMT -5
I am SO SO Excited!! Bluebirds, at least 2, came to my feeder for the first time ever!!!! I think the warmer temperatures here have brought north earlier thn usual. They are beautiful!
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