Squirrels find bird seed very tasty - after some effort

The day before yesterday I attached a picture of my bird feeder to a post and, because whenever I think ‘bird feeder’ I also think ‘squirrels,’ I asked two questions:

Do you own a squirrel proof bird feeder?

Is it actually squirrel proof?


["Squirrel proof feeder - under certain conditions": photos GAH]

This reply from Lost Motorcyclist tickled my funny bone:

I gave my mother one that uses a counter weighted bar. The birds perch on the bar to peck the food. Too many birds, or too big a bird, and the bar sinks down, lowering a cover over the food. The counter weights are adjustable, so on hers, it is set to drop if even one starling lands on it. 

It is so effective, the squirrels were forced to chew through the bucket where she stores her bird seed, and eat directly from there.

As many know, squirrels are industrious beggars.

I responded with the following:

Hi LM,

Your comment made me laugh. I asked the same question re feeders yesterday at The Roaster, and a woman mentioned the damage done by squirrels to another type of "drop bar" feeder.


Squirrels are bloody ingenious. 

My clothesline model is safe as long as it's 6 - 7 ft. above ground and the support pole for the line is 6 - 7 feet away from the feeder; otherwise, the squirrels do a run, jump and launch from the middle of the pole. 

Three squirrels are outside my window now comparing diagrams re how to defeat my pole.

Cheers, GAH

***

I keep my seed bucket inside the house.

So far, the squirrels have only made it as far as into the attic.

Ingenious I tell you.

.