gray squirrels are ok, if they're properly cooked.
;-)
gary phillips
conway, sc
sunset zone 31
"...where is the person, I ask, who, on observing this glittering fragment
of the rainbow, would not pause, admire, and turn his mind with
reverence..." (J.J. Audubon)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Compton" <scompton@sc.rr.com>
To: "Susan Campbell" <ncaves@utinet.net>; "Carolina Birds"
<carolinabirds@duke.edu>
Sent: Monday, August 25, 2003 5:17 PM
Subject: Re: Squirrel baffel question
Dear energetic squirrel bafflers:
OR, why don't we just acknowledge the squirrel's place in the world of
artifical feeding and designate our seed and suet buffet tables as "Bird
and
squirrel feeders"? The recent postings exaust me just reading about the
elaborate efforts to balance the effects of our seed and fat offerings.
I think the CBC ought to be FOR nature as much as possible. What's wrong
with the squirrels taking part?
Of course, if you want to gussy up your trees and erect
feeders that look like the Soyuez, I guess it does no harm.
The harm, if any, is in the concentration of feed in one spot without
regard
to the seasonal hardening that would naturally occur when bird and rodent
(pardon me, squirrel) have to learn to endure the lean months.
By the way, I just returned from 6 days in the U.K. where
I saw very few feeders in "gardens". Do we have more feeders here?
Just wondering,
Steve Compton
Summerville,SC
scompton@sc.rr.com
PS: Anyone interested in my UK bird list,
respond privately.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Susan Campbell" <ncaves@utinet.net>
To: "Carolina Birds" <carolinabirds@duke.edu>
Sent: Monday, August 25, 2003 8:40 AM
Subject: Re: Squirrel baffel question
David and All--
I think you might just want to try an upside down suet feeder. There is
a
really good one out by Rubicon International (Sinking Springs, PA). I
purchased this spring when the grackles and crows were eating me out of
house and home. It is designed such that the squirrels cannot get
around
the roof to get to the cake underneath. Wild Bird Centers and Wild
Birds
Unlimited have them but I bought mine form the Morgan's bird store out
in
Nags Head. Other pluses of this feeder include easy access for filling,
the
suet being protected from rain (so very handy this summer)and that it is
made out of very durable recycled materials. It is pretty inexpensive
(about $15) and will no doubt last a very long time.
Mine is hung in a spot that squirrels could get to and they have
tried --very unsuccessfully. But my yard birds figured it out right
away.
The catbirds were the first--they proceeded to use a new
approach--jumping
up and hovering to get a mouthful.
Good luck!
Susan Campbell
Whispering Pines, NC