How to Enjoy the Squirrels Without Feeding them Bird Seed
I just read a very long thread on Reddit bemoaning bird feeders that don’t really keep the squirrels out. There were long stories about people who’d spent upwards of $600 (!!!) to try to come up with a system for the ultimate squirrel proof bird feeder. There were detailed explanations about poles, baffles, cones, suspension systems … OMG!
The solution for me was far simpler. I got this very reasonably priced, simple, and well made feeder that resides within a squirrel-proof enclosure. The small birds – I typically have finches, chickadees, juncos, and a few sparrows – they all fly right into the feeder with easy. The big birds – jays, doves, grosbeaks – gather on the ground to pick up the seeds that the smaller birds toss over the sides.
This Globe Cage Bird Feeder from Gardener’s Supply Company is perfect for me. You can use it with most of the typical bird seed mixes on the market. I wouldn’t use it with big pieces like peanuts that still have the shells on them, but any mix with sunflower seeds in the hull, safflower, and similar seeds will work. The feeder holds about 3 cups of seed. I have the feeder hung on a simple pole in the ground that stands about five and a half feet tall – which makes it easy to reach the feeder when filling or cleaning it. I don’t use a baffle or cone arrangement at all, because the squirrels just can’t get inside.
I liked the first of these feeders so well, that I bought a second one. One sits outside my office window so I can watch all the action while I’m working at my computer.
The other feeder is in the backyard garden, near the finch seed feeder and the bird bath. Frankly, the finches tend to visit these feeders more than they do the Niger thistle seed feeder.
I do get squirrel visitors – and enjoy watching their acrobatic maneuvers trying to get into the feeder. They have never managed to do so, but it is fun to watch. I’ve been trying to get a video of the squirrel trying to figure out how to get in – once I’ve captured that I will add the footage here and on my YouTube channel.
This feeder is also very easy to fill. I set it on the ground, and despite the round shape, it will just sit in place. I twist off the top (easy peasy) and pour birdseed directly from my bag into the feeder. Then twist the top back on and hang it on the pole. Even with seed in it, it’s light enough to be easy to handle. The round cage is made of Powder-coated steel – and the one I show in my picture has been in use for about a year. The color is a somewhat charcoal gray to black. I haven’t had any problems or breakage with either of my feeders.
Another thing that I really like about this feeder is that the clear sleeve in the center of the feeder has stayed clear so that I can see the bird seed. The plastic shows no sign of clouding up like I see in cheap bird feeders. The openings for the birds to reach inside are sturdy and have a place to perch, and none of them have come loose or show gaps like I have see in cheaper feeders.
This Globe Cage bird feeder from Gardener's Supply is a terrific way to feed the birds without "breaking the bank" by feeding the squirrels at the same time. Enjoy squirrel acrobatics watching them try to figure out how to do any more than picking up a paw full of spilled seeds in the tray.
Just in case you feel sorry for my squirrels or Jays, they get a separate feeder in the yard with food more tailored to their needs.
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