On Sat, 5 Nov 1994, Ted Becker wrote:

> A fellow birder just asked me: Is the thistle seed sold for bird feeders
> viable, i.e. if I put up a Thistle Seed feeder will I be introducing
> thistle plants into my lawn and garden?
>
> Anybody have an answer?
>
Yes! I spilled some seed when filling my feeder, and a few weeks later,
little green plantlets were all over the area under the feeder. Feeder is
over beauty bark, so I know it wasn't some other kind of plant.

Another question for backyard bird feeder people: other than the various
'shields' one can get to hang above a feeder, what method(s) have you
found to discourage squirrels from eating all the bird seed? We have 4 -
5 resident squirrels whom we feed regularly (they come IN the house if
you open the door, terrorize our cats, and head for the 'peanut bucket'
to help themselves). We enjoy the squirrels, but wish they wouldn't
always steal the bird feed. Any help would be appreciated.

Daphne R. Macpherson
Edmonds, WA
Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary