Subject: [Tweeters] Beating the squirrels (temporarily)
Date: Dec 13 10:47:23 2004
From: cametobe at comcast.net - cametobe at comcast.net


I have 2 thistle seed tube feeders that the goldfinches are emptying every couple of days. Earlier this fall I discovered that the bottom hole had been gnawed through on both, and I had to replace both tubes. When it happened again on one feeder, I got out the duct tape. I put a small key over the opening, and sealed it with about 8 layers of duct tape in both directions. I rehung it exactly as before, so the taped area was on the side closest to the window (and the sloped window ledge). I think they sit on the window ledge and steady the tube with their front paws. The other tube is a bit higher but I protected its near bottom feeder hole the same way. There's no exposed adhesive for the birds to come in contact with; only if you start ripping into the tape would you run into it. And they don't particularly like the inner feed pegs anyway.

This was on Friday. This morning I checked it, and they got very close! The key was almost entirely exposed, but still held in place by the bottom threads of the tape. They chewed an area about 3" x 2" and gave up right before victory was at hand. I've added more layers, and hope they will remember the experience and give it up as a bad job. They haven't touched the higher feeder yet.

Also, hi to Vicki and Jim and Robin, whom I met at the Fill on Saturday and who gave me luscious looks through their Swarovski and Leikas and scope! Was very nice to meet you; hope the rest of your day was enjoyable. We had dazzling looks at 3 male hooded mergansers that danced just off shore in the bay, and only a little further out some male buffleheads were doing their whack-a-mole imitations. Just a lovely, lovely day.

--Rebecca Galloway
Northgate, Seattle