Cyn's Nature Notes: The squirrel and the squirrel proofed fat ball feeder

Friday 11 May 2012

The squirrel and the squirrel proofed fat ball feeder

A few days ago someone searched my blog looking for a squirrel proof fat ball feeder, they are out there because we have one. It holds three fat balls and has a domed shiny metal lid, the squirrels used to consume the fat balls amazingly fast and the poor birds were unable to feed there, however my other half had the brilliant idea of thickly coating the shiny, metal domed lid with petroleum jelly (vaseline).

Later that afternoon we were in the lounge and looked up to see the squirrel on the roof readying himself to climb down and feast on the fat balls. He made it as far as the domed lid and then lost his footing and his grip, undeterred he tried again, this time he very carefully tested his footing on the domed lid and decided against going any further. The following two days he spent much time trying to reach the fat balls without touching the domed petroleum jelly covered lid, each time unsuccessfully. He has now given up and doesn't even stand and gaze longingly at them anymore.

A brilliant result because the birds can now enjoy them.

The squirrel is not to be pitied though as he eats very well from the food put on the bird table and food which he bangs on the window for, if he sees me in the kitchen and sometimes he seeks me out in the lounge and bangs on that window. He is always looked after --- except he is no longer allowed on the fat balls.

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About this Blog

When we moved to our present home in December 1987, I was very ill and bedridden. My garden was a life-saver, although it was very different then. The first thing I did was to put up bird-feeders, and long hours were spent lying indoors in a recliner. This was when I discovered many things. Do you know the underside of every blue tit’s tail is differently marked? Gradually, over the years, the garden changed. We put in shrubs and plants that would not only enhance the garden, but would also be good for wildlife. The first rabbit we saw was so joyful for us. The deer eat the flowers, prune the apple trees, eat the marrow, and are wonderful to watch. Foxes have been a major part of our wildlife. We have fed them each night for more than 20 years. They are such a delight, especially in late summer and early autumn when there are youngsters. They behave like puppies and are great fun to watch.

I love all wildlife: the mason bees that nest in the brickwork of the bungalow, the hornets that last year made their home in the roof above our bedroom, the bees currently nesting in the roof above the bathroom. On a hot evening, if you stand quietly in the bathroom, you can hear this amazing sound: it is very rhythmic and reminds me of the waves at the seaside. It is made by the beating of the bees’ wings as they fan their nest to keep the temperature at the right level -- how many people have heard that sound? I feel so privileged.

Obviously, I feed the birds. When I open the window in the morning I call “Come on Bobby and Blackie”, and one followed swiftly by the other they fly immediately to the bird table. Each morning, on rising, I make my way to the kitchen and find the squirrels already sitting on the window ledge waiting to be fed. Winter brings the moorhens and spring time the mallards. Our pond is a poor effort from a human point of view, but wild creatures see it differently. On summer days, the grass snakes spend long hours in the pond: eating the fish, froglets, toadlings, newts, and any other living creature they can swallow. Although I hate to see the pond emptied this way, I do enjoy the snakes and feel they are an important part of the balance of nature in the garden. Watching a dragonfly nymph climbing out of the pond, up a plant stalk, and then over the next few hours gradually transforming into a beautiful dragonfly -- these are contented hours well spent.

It has been my pleasure to write and publish a nature column each month. I am always delighted to hear how much pleasure this brings to my readers. I have often been asked if I have written a book, so I am making more of my writings and photography available through this web site and blog.