Awww...so precious. I wish I could have a feeder, but the squirrels would just raid it.

Thanks Deb! I have tons of squirrels but I finally broke down and bought two different types of totally squirrel proof feeders a few years ago. They were eating me out of house and home...seemed like I was spending more on seed and suet than on my grocery bill :) The feeders were more expensive than I wanted to spend but they have paid for themselves many times over.

Rhonda

Your photos are so clear and well taken. I love hearing chickadees around, but I generally do not see them at the feeder.

I also have a supposed squirrel-proof feeder, but a few squirrels figured out a way to hang by their back legs and nibble away. They didn't empty the feeder, but they did cause a lot to spill--which they then ate from the ground. The bigger problem that I had was rats. They were light enough that they didn't trigger the mechanism that shuts off the feeder. They came out at night and were really pests.

I finally solved the problem with a baffle. The squirrels and rats cannot get up the pole to the feeder. Usually squirrels, who are very persistent, can find a way around most defenses. Not this one. It has been 100 % effective since I installed it about six months ago. The one that I linked above is, I believe, recommended by the Audubon society and is very easy to install.

Thanks gardengal! They do have a cute sound.

Tom,

I tried several baffles with no success. Wish I'd tried the one you linked to before I spent the money on the rollerfeeder (seed and suet) the http://www.rollerfeeder.com/rf2_cardinal_feeder_cs.htm#Squirrel Proof Rolling Bird Feeders

They are truly squirrel proof. It's funny to watch them try over and over to defeat it. Even if they manage to land on it without being thrown off, the hopper closes. Squirrels are so clever. I think they and the crows have to be the smartest wildlife around.

Rhonda