[readcjr]

Hello again from a newbie - only my second post, but encouraged I thought I'd try another.

I was surprised not to find more threads on bird feeder anti-squirrel devices (maybe it's old-hat and it's all been said before) - but here goes!

I hope this doesn't sound too difficult, the principle is simple, the detail just needs fine tuning to suit.

You'll need two high fixing points, one is my house, the other a tall tree. (Ladders required and helping hand).

Go to fishing tackle shop, buy cheapest monofilament nylon line - I use 40lb breaking strain, which lasts about a year before breaking.

Tie line at one high point using whatever method is easiest and run the other end of the line through a vine-tie (or such like) at other high point and then fasten line to something at ground level. This allows you to lower/raise and tension the line without further need for ladder.

Attach a vertical hanging line to the lowered support line using whatever clips/attachments that make it easy to connect the line and feeder.

Raise the support line to appropriate height (a big, full, feeder will take a lot of pulling up) and fasten.

As long as the distance from the supporting tree is sufficient to clear the feeder from overhanging branches the squirrels, in my experience of 5 years of this method, will not get onto the feeder. They haven't risked/or can't get along the very thin nylon line. It's high and they clearly do not like the drop.

At a glance you will have a feeder floating in mid-air!

TIP
1. With a bit of trial and error I have got the horizontal line tension, and the length of the vertical hanging line adjusted so that I can un-hook the feeder without the need to lower the whole thing - much easier.

2. After a couple of incidents of the nylon line 'breaking'?? at the tree end I suspected a squirrel had discovered the line and bitten through it. If this happens use a few feet of thin wire between the tree and the nylon.

Birds United 6 - Squirrel Athletic 0

Happy days...........

Colin