Keeping Squirrels Out Of Your Bird Feeder

By David Pierce

Squirrels can wreak havoc when you have a lot of birds congregating around your feeder. Although pretty to look at as well, squirrels and birds do not mix. The squirrels are attracted to the bird seed that is in the feeder, so they take no stops in attempting to climb up and help themselves to anything that may be in there. Although the squirrels will not harm birds, it naturally will scare them off, keeping them from visiting in the future. If your goal is to bird watch, this will inevitably defeat your purpose.

There are several ways to keep squirrels away from your bird feeder. It can be placed in an open area away from trees where the squirrels can easily jump onto the platform. Squirrels will rarely stray away from trees or other shrubbery into an open area. For many people, however, this is not an option. You can count on the fact that anywhere there is a tree, and you have squirrels in your area, they will attempt to get into your bird feeder.

If you are attracting smaller birds, you could hang a tubular bird feeder with small holes, this will prevent most squirrels from gaining access to the bird seed, especially if it is hung from a pole. Squirrels seem to have a harder time climbing poles than they do trees. Another approach is to paint your pole or the area around your birdhouse a milano red. It has been proven that for whatever reason, squirrels do not like this color. Go to your favorite hardware or home improvement store to find this color. Actually painting the bird house itself milano red could also help. This will not effect most birds and will quietly keep squirrels away without having to make any major modifications.

A wire cage can also be wrapped around the bird feeder to prevent squirrels from gaining access to the seed. Most birds will quickly figure out they can get to the food, where squirrels will go elsewhere since they cannot fit their bodies into the bird house. Although this may be unattractive and odd looking to someone outside your lawn looking in.

The easiest way is to buy a squirrel guard. Place your bird feeder on a pole and attach a circular device around five feet from the ground. This will prevent squirrels from reaching the birdhouse. Just be certain that it is not near an area where they can jump from a tree or house. Squirrels are known for the jumping ability and can practically fly from one tree to another. As a last resort you can buy a substance to put around your bird feeder to keep the squirrels away. It can be found in most home improvement stores and will not harm birds.

If watching birds is your goal, and you want to keep squirrels away from your feeder, using the above methods will definitely help the problem. You may even want to consider giving the squirrels their own feeder. If you put large chunks of food in and make it unappealing to birds, that could solve your problem as well.

David Pierce is owner of Back Yard Bird Feeders A website aimed at the joy of watching and feeding birds.
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Watching the Birds While Camping

By Victor Epand

Many individuals enjoy watching the birds when they are camping out in the great outdoors, which is why having a bird identifier is so important. Often times, when you place bird feeders or bird seed around your camp site it is often important to have a tent handy so you can keep out of site so the birds will come closer.

When you are camping in the outdoors you will hear the subtle songs from the many birds that are in the wild, but do you ever wonder what the name of the birds are that are singing? A bird identifier is perfect for carrying along with you when you are in the outdoors with your children or even if you are all alone. Having a bird identifier along with you is an excellent way to learn about the native birds and their songs. Spring brings a lot of beautiful scenery to the outdoors, but it also brings some of the most beautiful music your ears will ever hear. During this time of the year, the woods and even your backyards are filled with a cacophony of North American birds singing their joyful songs.

You hear them all the time, but most people take the sound of birds for granted, but if you have ever stopped and listened to the music, then you would be amazed at all the different sounds you will hear. If you are a bird watcher or simply intrigued by the chirping you hear everyday, then the perfect gift to purchase for yourself is a bird identifier. These are interesting devices that can be used as both a recreational and educational bird watching tool.

One particular bird identifier is only about four by six inches and it will fit in the palm of your hand and it will bring the outdoors to your fingertips. If you hear a bird chirping and you would like to know what it is, then all you do is simply put in the credit-card sized song card. The song card has ten pictures of birds on it and you press the button next to the picture and the identifier will "sing" the corresponding bird's song. This is great if you would like to be able to identify birds by their songs, but it can also be used to locate birds in your area.

If you would like to find a certain bird, just push the corresponding button on the card and listen to see if any birds respond. The player operates on three AAA batteries and is very easy to use with volume control, a power switch, and a private listening device. A bird identifier is perfect for carrying along with you when you are in the outdoors with your children or even if you are all alone. These bird identifiers normally come with at least two song cards, which will identify twenty bird songs, and a guide to help you learn many helpful tips about the birds and bird watching.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for sweatpants, sweatshirts, outdoor gear, sports clothing, and model motorcycles. Click here when you want to find sweatpants, sweatshirts, bird identifier.
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Bird Watching - Is it Just For the Birds?

By Mike Selvon

When a bird watching hobbyist says that something is "for the birds," he or she does not mean that it is crazy. They are probably referring to some of their equipment or books that help them to have this wonderful hobby. If you have not had much contact with such pets and want to find a great pastime, then birding is definitely for you. It allows you to get outside and enjoy nature and it does not cost a whole lot to get started. You can go out and find interesting species of birds that you like.

Bird watching is one of those hobbies that you do not need a lot of information or equipment right off the bat. However, some people do want to get some guidance. One website that does offer guidance, equipment and hints/tips is Bird Watching. They have tons of information for the beginner. They can even give you tips on setting up bird feeders in your yard so that the birds will come to your yard instead, eliminating the need to go traipsing through the woods to find them.

A great way to get into watching these pets is to go on birding tours. These tours can be local or they can be to some tropical destination where you will observe exotic birds, such as Toucans or Flamingos. Just the thrill of seeing wild birds in their own natural habitat can be a treat for anyone. It not only gets you outside in the sun but it also can serve as an excellent form of exercise.

You can easily cover miles when you are absorbed in watching the skies or trees for the birds that you are seeking out. If you are not quite ready to spend a lot of money on a birding tour, then you can always borrow a book from your local library and discover the ones that live in your area. There are many books that can offer you tips and tricks to seeking out local of such pets.

If you want a more passive bird watching experience, you can always utilize feeders in your yard or garden. By feeding the birds you get the opportunity to observe many different kinds of these species that are native to your area. But remember that different feeders attract different types of of such pets. All of that free food will often attract squirrels that are looking for a quick meal.

Your local home and garden center can help you find the right feeder for the job.

Find our more about birds of prey at Mike Selvon articles portal, and claim your free audio gift on common birds.
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