Feed The Birds, Not the Squirrels

You are not alone. Of the estimated 51.3 million Americans that actively feed wild birds, many are thwarted by the curves that Mother Nature throws. Squirrels, Starlings, Grackles, rodents and many other furry and feathered visitors can make filling a birdfeeder seem like a great way to get rid of extra cash when your car can’t take anymore gas. And did I mention squirrels? They’re worth mentioning twice.

Not to worry, there are steps that you can take to live in harmony with those that call your backyard “home.” Feeding wild birds can bring joy to your world, and should not be a source of stress or a waste of money. Wild birds add color and sound to your landscape, along with the joy of knowing that you are helping preserve Long Island’s natural habitat. By using a couple of common sense strategies and a little planning, you can take back control of your bird feeder.

Let’s start with the seed. If you only remember one thing from this article, it is that not all wild bird seed is created equal. You do get what you pay for. Most low priced mixes are filled with milo, corn, oats and wheat. Many desirable birds will pick these seeds out and throw them on the ground to get to the tastier seeds such as white millet, sunflower and safflower. Using a quality mix reduces waste. Too much seed on the ground can begin to grow a “Garden of Weed-en,” not to mention attract local rodents for a free meal. To discourage attracting nuisance birds such as Grackles and Starlings which tend to scare away the smaller songbirds, avoid using corn or milo in your mixes. If too many Sparrows are present, avoid mixes with millet as well. Adding a seed tray to the bottom of your feeders will help collect the seed that spills or gets thrown out. And don’t worry, Blue Jays and Nuthatches like to take a seed or two back to a tree to hide them for later use, not to make a mess!

No one can empty a feeder and frustrate a “birder” like a squirrel. Many options are available to thwart these invaders, and it is often best to try several techniques and see what works best. Just like with seed, quality does matter. The sharp teeth of a sly squirrel will chew around the openings of most unprotected feeders to get access to the prized seed inside. When choosing a bird feeder, consider ones with metal seed ports and perches. Even if a squirrel gets to the feeder, it won’t destroy it. Some companies offer lifetime guarantees against squirrel damage, which is well worth the slightly higher expense.

To begin with, consider the location of your feeder. It should be close enough to trees and shrubs to encourage shy birds by offering a place to land and seek shelter from predators, but far enough to keep a squirrel from jumping to the feeder. Try at least 10 feet if possible, but squirrels can really leap, so further could be better. If you use a tube-type feeder, consider using a squirrel baffle above the feeder if it hangs or below if it’s pole-mounted. Baffles are helpful, if not entirely effective. They are part of your defense, not all of it. If you use a pole baffle, the “torpedo type” that look like an upside can works better.

Collapsible perch feeders and spring loaded feeders work much better. The concept here is that every time a squirrel gets on board, the perches collapse down, thus causing the squirrel to fall to the ground with nothing more than a bruised ego. Watching this occur over and over can be quite humorous, until the squirrel leaves the feeder alone or has his lawyer threaten you with a lawsuit! The spring-loaded type closes the seed openings from the squirrels access every time due to the difference in weight of a squirrel and a bird. Some are adjustable to the weight of several larger birds and will close off as well. Spin type feeders and baffles offer possibly the best defense, as well as a sense of victory over the grey-tailed devils, as they begin to spin when a squirrel attacks and continue to go faster until the squirrel gracefully launches to the ground.

Lastly, if you can’t beat them, join them. Offer the squirrels something they would prefer such as cob corn, peanuts or squirrel food, but feed them away from your feeders. Harmonious living with the little acorn eaters can be achieved. Take back control of your feeders!

Talmage Farm Agway is located at 1122 Osborne Ave. Riverhead, New York. Call 631-727-3100 for more information or email your Wild Bird Questions to wildbill@talmagefarm.com.