I have watched the rats and squirrels fight below the feeders at my place
for fallen seed. The outcome you ask? They learned to coexist, but the
rats always got the territory they wanted (where the most spilled seed
was), and the squirrels kept a respectable distance.

Roger Olstad (in Lake Forest Park)
Univ. of Washington, Seattle

On Tue, 21 Nov 1995, Janet Partlow wrote:

> I was visiting in-laws in Seattle last year and as we watched the
> chickadees et al at the platform bird feeder on a wooden pole, we watched
> in horrified fascination as a very plump rat leisurely crawled up the
> pole and helped itself to the seed in the feeder. Yes, rats do use bird
> feeders. I don't have any strong opinions about whether or not this is a
> common problem. Janet Partlow
>
> On Tue, 21 Nov 1995, Mark Eburne wrote:
>
> > Over the past I have enjoyed my feeders, atracting many different birds.
> >
> > Over a conversation with my brother-in-law he showed concern about
> > attracting other creatures such a mice and rats, feeding on the spilled seed.
> >
> > Now this is something that I never had given much thought to and we don't
> > have a pest problem that I have seen but is something that has be on my mind
> > now.
> >
> > Does anyone have any thoughts on the matter? Is there steps we should be
> > taking at the feeder to decrease the potental problem?
> >
> > Mabye it's nothing and I should be spending my thoughts birding.
> >
> > Ths.
> >
> > Mark Eburne
> > Mark_Eburne at mindlink.bc.ca
> > Maple Ridge B.C. Canada
> >
> >
>