Game on! DSC_9974
Many of you have heard of Robbie, the most energetic, destructive little daredevil squirrel in my yard. Well, meet Robbie Jr. this adorable, innocent looking little guy has yet to be destructive but his energy and tricks make Robbie look like a timid, lazy, little squirrel. I just hope he does not learn to be destructive. For now, the entertainment factor is off the charts.
Earlier this month Robbie Jr. was on the main bird feeder. I noticed a branch in oak tree number two that needed to be trimmed in order to prevent this from continuing. Or so I thought... The branch was removed, yet every time I turned around young Robbie was on that feeder. Hmmm, I wondered how on earth he could get there. That question was soon answered. I watched as he ran and took a flying leap at the squirrel baffle, hitting it dead center. He scampered quickly the rest of the way to the top of the baffle and it was game over from there.
I allowed him to eat a while, after all a little treat was well deserved for that stunt. I decided that five minutes was enough time to partake in the birds treats so I sent Robbie Jr. on his way. Then I raised the baffle higher on the pole and waited, but not for long. With great amusement, I watched Robbie try, try and try again to reach the main feeder with his jump and scamper method. Ha, Robbie was defeated and I was confident things would go back to normal. Feeling rather pleased with myself for thwarting Robbie's ability to reach the main feeder , I gave him some treats and went about my business.
As I was preparing dinner, I happened to look out the living room window. What did I see? You guessed it, Robbie Jr. on the main bird feeder. How on earth did he get there. Would I need a shorter baffle? Once again, I allowed Robbie Jr. to stay a while and enjoy the treats that he obviously deserved. This time he ate every last seed from the feeder and went on his way. Knowing that the birds had plenty of other options at the other feeding stations, I did not fill that feeder until the following day.
The next morning, Robbie Jr. was waiting in oak tree number two when I went out to fill the main feeder. His little body was quivering and tail twitching with excitement as he watched. Keeping an eye on Robbie Jr. I closed and fastened the top of the freshly filled feeder and walked away grinning.
In a matter of seconds I heard swish, thump, scratch. I turned to the feeder and Robbie Jr. was on the feeder. He had leapt about twelve feet through the air, landed on the feeder, loosened the fastener, opened the top and was devouring the birds treats. This time I did not allow Robbie Jr. to stay nor did I give him treats after he was scolded. No sense in letting him train me to give him treats for bad behavior. Robbie Jr. immediately scampered back up oak tree number two and started quivering and twitching once more. We continued our game for several rounds, Robbie Jr. gave up, at least for a while and settled on eating beauty berries from one of the many available bushes.
Other squirrels in the yard do not attempt a jump from that distance and height. They seem content with the treats put out for them on the palm stump and other locations.
As for the main bird feeder, other locations are under consideration but I'm not sure there is a location that won't allow Robbie Jr. access :)
Game on! DSC_9974
Many of you have heard of Robbie, the most energetic, destructive little daredevil squirrel in my yard. Well, meet Robbie Jr. this adorable, innocent looking little guy has yet to be destructive but his energy and tricks make Robbie look like a timid, lazy, little squirrel. I just hope he does not learn to be destructive. For now, the entertainment factor is off the charts.
Earlier this month Robbie Jr. was on the main bird feeder. I noticed a branch in oak tree number two that needed to be trimmed in order to prevent this from continuing. Or so I thought... The branch was removed, yet every time I turned around young Robbie was on that feeder. Hmmm, I wondered how on earth he could get there. That question was soon answered. I watched as he ran and took a flying leap at the squirrel baffle, hitting it dead center. He scampered quickly the rest of the way to the top of the baffle and it was game over from there.
I allowed him to eat a while, after all a little treat was well deserved for that stunt. I decided that five minutes was enough time to partake in the birds treats so I sent Robbie Jr. on his way. Then I raised the baffle higher on the pole and waited, but not for long. With great amusement, I watched Robbie try, try and try again to reach the main feeder with his jump and scamper method. Ha, Robbie was defeated and I was confident things would go back to normal. Feeling rather pleased with myself for thwarting Robbie's ability to reach the main feeder , I gave him some treats and went about my business.
As I was preparing dinner, I happened to look out the living room window. What did I see? You guessed it, Robbie Jr. on the main bird feeder. How on earth did he get there. Would I need a shorter baffle? Once again, I allowed Robbie Jr. to stay a while and enjoy the treats that he obviously deserved. This time he ate every last seed from the feeder and went on his way. Knowing that the birds had plenty of other options at the other feeding stations, I did not fill that feeder until the following day.
The next morning, Robbie Jr. was waiting in oak tree number two when I went out to fill the main feeder. His little body was quivering and tail twitching with excitement as he watched. Keeping an eye on Robbie Jr. I closed and fastened the top of the freshly filled feeder and walked away grinning.
In a matter of seconds I heard swish, thump, scratch. I turned to the feeder and Robbie Jr. was on the feeder. He had leapt about twelve feet through the air, landed on the feeder, loosened the fastener, opened the top and was devouring the birds treats. This time I did not allow Robbie Jr. to stay nor did I give him treats after he was scolded. No sense in letting him train me to give him treats for bad behavior. Robbie Jr. immediately scampered back up oak tree number two and started quivering and twitching once more. We continued our game for several rounds, Robbie Jr. gave up, at least for a while and settled on eating beauty berries from one of the many available bushes.
Other squirrels in the yard do not attempt a jump from that distance and height. They seem content with the treats put out for them on the palm stump and other locations.
As for the main bird feeder, other locations are under consideration but I'm not sure there is a location that won't allow Robbie Jr. access :)