Unwelcomed Visitor

Hi Everyone,

I think one my favorite posts (because of the comments I received) was the one I had a month or so ago about the backyard birds that visit.  I loved hearing from everyone about how they enjoy watching and feeding them, too.

A few weeks ago, this critter started visiting.

I had put out the corn cobs for the squirrels.  I didn't expect to attract a raccoon!  We took the corn cobs down, now the critter is getting on the feeders.

I caught it up on each pole at least once, so yesterday I did some Googling for a remedy.  Of course, I could go to the bird store and buy a raccoon baffle (we already have squirrel baffles) but they are $45 and I need two.  I would much rather spend $90 on something else--like fabric, so alternate ideas are appealing.

The idea I came across involves the following supplies:

The black tube is foam pipe insulation.  It was $1.20 for a 6 foot length.  Zip ties are used to secure it to the feeder, and then carpet tacks are also used.

Carpet tacks come in different sizes, I got the largest.  They were $1.30 a pack and I got three packs.

In total, I spent just over $5.

The process is to poke the carpet tacks through the inside of the insulation.

 

 

Put about three of them around the diameter of the insulation, and then move down an inch or two and insert more.  Completely "stud" the insulation with carpet tacks.  You will want to be careful!  Those tacks can hurt!

Once full of tacks, take it outside and wrap it around the pole of your feeder.  I put mine under the squirrel baffle.  I forgot to mention that the insulation should be for the correct size of your feeder pole.  Using the zip strips (cable ties, whatever you call them) attach it tightly to the pole.  If you don't get it tight enough, the raccoon can pull it down.

I used quite a few zip ties to make sure it was on. 

The result is that the raccoon is not going to want to climb with all those painful tacks poking out all over.

This morning when I checked the feeders, I was disappointed to see that one of them had been pillaged, despite the new deterrent.  I think the problem is that on that pole, the baffle was too low, so we will try again by lifting the baffle and the insulation higher.  Hopefully that will work, otherwise I'm going to have to get the raccoon baffles. 

Do any of you have any good solutions? 

Thanks,
JoAnne

There is Something Else I Like

Shhh.   Can you keep a secret?  I have another interest.  It may seem a little geeky but we feed the birds and I really get a kick out of watching them and seeing what types will come and visit.  We have several feeders for sunflower seed, safflower seed, suet, peanuts, thistle seed, bark butter, and even mealworms.  If you want a wide variety of species, you need to use a variety of food!

We get a lot of chickadees, nuthatches, and house finches, etc.  Here are some pictures of others:

A Titmouse

 

 

A pair of cardinals

 

 

A Downy woodpecker

 

 

 

A brief glimpse and bad photo of a very shy Red-bellied woodpecker

 

 

 

A very cute and quite spunky Pine Siskin (this was the one day we had snow.)

 

 

A Brown Thrasher

 

The Blue Jays are shy as well and don't like their picture taken

 

A Carolina Wren

 

It took them a while to find us, but the Gold Finches are here now. 

 

Another Goldfinch

 

And then on Wednesday, while I was laboring away ripping off those borders, I happened to glance out the window and could hardly believe my eyes!  For the first time ever at our feeder was this:

 

 



A male bluebird!!!!

 

He brought along his friend:

The female bluebird

 

 

I knew there were bluebirds around, but I wasn't sure if they were in our neighborhood.  They sort of like open country and can be a bit picky about where they go.  I was so excited to see them!  They came back the next day, too, so maybe they are nesting in the area and will be regular visitors.  

 

 

It's no wonder that I bought this book.  I doubt I'll make the quilt, but you never know!

 

 

Do you feed/watch the birds?  What visits your feeders?

 

Have a great weekend!

JoAnne