I never had a problem with this. I think squirrels are as interesting to look at as birds are, perhaps moreso. I mean, look at the acrobatics this little guy has to perform just to get at that feeder. Unlike the birds who just fly down like it’s nothing. He’s putting in the effort, let him have the fuckin’ payoff.
Grey squirrels are invasive here. I once went to a talk where a tiny adorable grandmother was gleefully talking about finding ways to kill them all.
I suppose that makes them quite a bit less endearing. I’ve only ever lived in places where squirrels are native, and never really understood the animosity towards them.
They out compete native red squirrels here.
The red squirrels here bully the black and grey ones, and also they eat plastic Christmas lights.
It’s revenge! From the talk I mention she spent a long time emphasizing how similar grey and reds can be, so I’m not sure if grandma was just in it for the love of the game or not.
In Maine greys are almost rare, and reds are an absolute menace. I can’t even count how many have become a problem enough around the property to warrant dispatch, and I really dislike killing things. One chewed the hot wire to my shed which although a pain to repair, was quite a show.
There are grey and red squirrels. The grey ones are invasive in Europe and are causing all kinds of problems for the native red squirrels
Grey squirrels are native where I’m at; even here, a lot of folks dislike them. They just can’t catch a break.
How can anyone possibly not like them?
If apes hadn’t been faster, squirrels would rule the world.
I love watching the squirrels at my feeder, especially the young ones still learning to find food. I buy a mix that has corn and nuts in it just for them.
Never tried it, but hot peppers can be added to birdseed to prevent this — birds aren’t sensitive to capsaicin, so it only affects the mammals.
You can just get powdered capsaicin too
Name doesn’t look like it would be censored in a children’s book. Clearly fake
During the winter months, I keep my seed and suet feeders inside my fenced garden. That way, it keeps squirrels and other mammals out and adds a small amount of fertilizer (droppings, shelled seeds). It’s a pleasure to see them every morning!
Tell me of this magical squirrel repelling fence
It’s just loose chicken wire on the top of the fence, about 24" of it all the way around, structured haphazardly. It is only tacked to the top of the fence and is very wobbly, stable enough only for small birds (chickadee size). I put it on to deter groundhogs from getting a good footing, but it seems to keep the squirrels out too. Not necessarily foolproof because squirrels are totally ninjas.
Wait, chickenadeets are a real thing? I’ve only ever heard the word (and in a human context, no less)
Yup! We get black-capped chickadees, very cute and very bold!
It says “all over North America” but I’ve never seen them in the Southwest. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chickadee
Oh, those are tits?!
You American prudes need to catch up on your potty humour and ornithology (not sure if thats the correct word for it)
They are a subset, named after their ‘chick-a-dee’ call. Theres plenty of american birds called ‘titmouses’ such as from the Baeolophus genus.
It uses electrons!
