Anti-squirrel bird feeder.

[readcjr]

Being a bit dumb about these forum things I posted the following in the wrong forum. So I repeat it here. Sorry for any confusion..............

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 nearby 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

PS There has already been a query from the other forum where this was mistakenly posted ('Hello' Forum - don't ask!) Do birds fly into the line? Answer NO - it is visible, they try to land on it.
Colin

[Goosegogs]

Reminds me of a beer advert with the Mission Impossible theme tune. The squirrel got to the nuts.