On 16/08/2013 22:39, Jeff Layman wrote:
On 15/08/2013 20:02, Jake wrote:

I then installed a bird-proof squirrel feeder on their route into the
garden. (bird-proof to stop birds choking on the larger whole stuff).
The squirrels quickly worked out how to get at their stuff and leave
the bird feeders alone now.

I use a feeder with a metal mesh. The squirrels soon give up when they
find it's not worth their while to try to nibble the peanuts through the
mesh (they can't bite through it).

Mind you, the local thug (aka great spotted woodpecker) now reigns
supreme when he decides he wants the peanuts. Heaven help any smaller
bird who tries to feed from it at the same time!

Today on one of my feeders which hangs horizontally there was a
stand-off between a young male G S Woodpecker and a Young Jay on
opposite sides of the feeder.
One would take a peck then glare at the other who would then take a peck
then they would both glare at each other for almost a minute then start
again, this went on for about 5 minutes till I magpie decided to drop in.
Then later, just after lunch the 2 young male G S Woodpeckers landed at
the same time on a feeder and spent about 20 seconds fencing with their
beaks and took off still fencing.
That's the problem, having the feeder only about 5ft from the window you
can spend a lot of time watching them quite close up, as well as having
several blue tits who wander along the window sill and watch me feeding.
David @ what was an almost dry and sunny Swansea bay, after heavy rain
early morning and cloud till almost 11am.