Last week I showed you my summer Sanctuary where I sit on my back porch and observe nature. I have seen so many critters in my backyard, including chipmunks, woodchucks, bunny rabbits, and red and gray squirrels.
The gray squirrels are the most prolific, most persistent critters in the back yard. There are more gray squirrels than red squirrels and while the red squirrels have a fiery and feisty temperament the grays show the least fear of me. They have learned to leap up straight to my bird feeders to get around the squirrel baffles and help themselves to seed.
So, as a peace offering and deterrent, I pulled two stumps out of the woods and set them up at the edge of the lawn as a critter feeding station. I no sooner dump seed out here than the red and gray squirrels show up, along with an army worth of chipmunks. It doesn’t take long before all the seed is gone! I have also observed American Crows and Blue Jays eating at this location. One morning when I went to spread some seed I even found deer hoof prints in the soft ground in front of the stumps! However, I have yet to actually see a deer around here! On the weekend I bought some new squirrel food and decided I could just leave it in this red cooler on the back porch. After all, it is thick and insulated and the lid fits rather tightly. The seed was all in a plastic bag, so I had no fear of it tainting the inside of the cooler. I thought all was well. I thought wrong.
And that’s what I learned for…
Darn critters. They create havoc for me, too. Looks like you'll need to provide an unending supply of peanuts for the little thieves.
ReplyDeleteI find it better to store rocks in my spare coolers. The wildlife are smart when it comes to food. Had javelinas trying to get into a cooler with bird seed. Very entertaining, but not at 2am. Lesson learned.
ReplyDeleteHi Kathie
ReplyDeleteThat porch looks like quite the little oasis for watching all your critters. And it sounds like you get quite the variety, enjoy your new feeding stations.
Guy
HI Katie...sorry... but that is a good laugh, and a lesson learned!!
ReplyDeleteSquirrels and Racoons are amazing at there ability to get into the seed feeders..but darn they are cute!!
Kind of funny - irritating, but funny!
ReplyDeleteAnd there was me thinking "What a good idea!" Oh well, back to the drawing board. Lovely back porch you've got there Kathy.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary, Gaelyn, guy, Grannie g KaHolly, and Denise, thanks so much for stiopping by. Yes, these squirrels keep me entertained and sometimes frustrated. I just had to laugh at this ne though!
ReplyDeleteI I am off to NH today to pick up my granddaughter but will soon return and hopefully be able to get some blogging time in. I hope you enjoy your world today!
Hi kathie, I have had to learn the same lesson. I am not sure if it was squirrels or the raccoons. But I can not leave birdseed outside. Great photos, have a great day and happy birding.
ReplyDeleteeileen, thank you! Happy birding to you too!
ReplyDelete