The Tale of my Window Feeder

McLean, VA(Zone 6b)

I bought a Droll Yankee window feeder that I filled with safflower seeds. I wanted to be able to see the many cardinals up close and personal. I had filled it twice, and seen the cardinals using it when one morning it was missing. Initially, I thought that the suction cups came loose, but all three of them were still stuck firmly to the glass. I found the feeder a short distance from the house. While I was a little upset that it had fallen, I also couldn't figure out how that happened. This feeder has a lip that fits over the suction bar, and the bar was still attached. It happened to be during a cold period so I decided that I would pick it up the next day, when I was hoping that it was warmer.

About a hour later, I began to hear thumping on the side of the house. The feeder was located in an inside corner, that is somewhat sheltered. Imagine my surprise when I saw a squirrel slamming himself into my window repeatedly! He was climbing up the honeysuckle vine, and throwing himself against the window. I saw him do this at least a dozen times.

Apparently, the squirrels had figured out that there was safflower seeds in this feeder, and also found a way to reach it. They must have been successful knocking it down, and I think because it is clear plastic, they may have thought it was replaced with more seeds. My husband and I couldn't believe what we were seeing.

Well, the feeder is still laying on the ground, while I figure out what to do with it. It was about 5 feel above ground. This is a picture of the feeder from the Duncraft website.

This message was edited Jan 6, 2009 11:07 PM

Thumbnail by pennefeather
Marlton, NJ

That's really funny penne! Squirrels are such amazing creatures.

I'm surprised they went after safflower seed.

Putnam County, IN(Zone 5b)

Yup...they are just full of surprises...I went to hang my tray feeder out one day last week and the baffle was gone...looked over the fence there it was almost to the ditch. Raccoon must have tried to drag it off! lol

Marlton, NJ

I was surprised the squirrels started eating thistle/nyjer seed here after 3 years but it's not the first time I've heard of them eating that.

I had tried safflower trying to get rid of Starlings but they just swallow it whole like the peanut halves.

Houston, TX(Zone 9a)

I didn't know squirrels would eat safflower seeds either, but I can tell you they sure will eat holes in a fiberglass bass boat and all it's electrical wiring components. I'm not a squirrel fan! My grandson heard me during a squirrel battle when I'd been chasing him off the feeders all day. The squirrel and I were both being stubborn and neither would give up. At one point I went out and he got just high enough I couldn't reach him and just watched me and waited for me to come back in the house. I looked up and said, "you better be careful or you could be dumplings for dinner." My grandson ran to the door when his dad came to pick him up and said, "come on out daddy and see the dumplings in Grandma's tree." I didn't have the heart to tell him dumplings would involve stewing the squirrel. I've gotta' get a squirrel proof feeder that works. I bought one of the "Twirl A Squirrel" things that you hook the feeder to and when the weight of the squirrel gets on the feeder, it spins and throws him off. The thing would start spinning, but wouldn't stop, so not even the birds could eat.

Dover AFB, DE(Zone 7a)

Is there a weight adjustment on yours?

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