We have a cabin at Lake Wenatchee and were there recently for five days.
Every morning we'd find problems with the hummingbird feeders. Each day
another one would be empty and have broken or missing bee guards and perches.

Soon we discovered a lone raccoon was the culprit! Watched him rip off the
bee guards and spill the sugar water on the deck so he could lick it up!
(until I washed it away) He was very bold and not afraid of us at all! There
was also seed and suet feeders which he ignored. Never had this problem before
although I've seen raccoons both at home and at the cabin. Anyone else ever
have this problem?

We've rehung the feeders where we hope he can't get at them (but not as good
for the hummers or observers, unfortunately) and will be purchasing
"replacement parts", hopefully, for what he destroyed.

Didn't want to take the feeders down completely as we had a booming business
of Rufous, Black-chinned and a few Calliope. Had to make food every day to
keep up with the numbers of hummers and the pesky raccoon!

An interesting aside, we saw two hummers sharing one remaining perch and
bigger than usual hole with the bee guard missing! Kinda like neighbors
sharing after an catastrophe!

Joan Macdonald
Issaquah, WA