Outwitting the SquirrelsI feed the birds and squirrels year round. I have two hanging bird feeders and also put feed on the ground for the squirrels and ground feeding birds. There are numerous varieties of birds and approximately 12 to 14 squirrels who regularly eat the food. 
However, there are several squirrels who always seem to feel that what is in the hanging bird feeders is much better than what is on the ground. So they climb the tree and slither upside down on the chain that holds the bird feeder and eat from the feeder. One feeder is in the shape of a cat and has fairly large holes so if the squirrel shakes it, the sunflower seeds fall out and the feeder is quickly emptied.My squirrels are very intelligent. You can almost see the wheels going around in their heads as they figure out what to do. I have tried many things to outwit the squirrels who climb on the feeder. First I hung the feeder at the very end of a small branch...that didn’t begin to stop the squirrel from getting to it.Then I put two large plastic tops above the feeder...The squirrel quickly figured out that he could avoid the plastic baffles and get to the feeder. Now, I think I have the solution...at least it has worked so far. I have hung an open umbrella over the feeder. As you can see by the picture, it adds a certain elegance to the neighborhood – a Mary Poppins look. The squirrel sits in the tree or on the ground looking up and contemplating how to get around this huge obstacle. So far I have outwitted the squirrel. Perhaps I should consider copyrighting or selling this idea!!!
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