Eastern gray squirrels are the most common large tree squirrels found in our area. They come in many color phases, including pure black and albino. Love them or hate them, they are bound to show up in your backyard feeders.
For many Fox Cities residents, feeding birds during winter is among their favorite hobbies. Local residents spend a great deal of money on bird-feeding supplies, food, feeders, identification guides, binoculars and more.
For some, their biggest backyard enemy is the feisty squirrel.
Several species of tree squirrels, in addition to ground squirrels, chipmunks and one marmot - the woodchuck - make up the squirrel family in Wisconsin.
The eastern gray squirrel, which includes most of the color variations from black to albino that are commonly seen in our area, is by far the most common of the tree squirrels found in our area.
The largest tree squirrel in Wisconsin is the eastern fox squirrel, similar to the gray squirrel but larger, with a rusty brown or orange coat. Generally, fox squirrels are not as well adapted to urban areas as the gray squirrel, living in rural areas of mixed woodlots and farmlands. Fox squirrels often travel far from the protective cover of trees in their rural wanderings.
The frisky, little red squirrel earns its many nicknames, such as "Chatterbox," "Chickaree" and "Pine Squirrel" for obvious reasons. Easily identified by its small size, prominent ears, striking red, black and white coat and tell-tale, scolding voice, the red squirrel also has a reputation of being quite a formidable opponent at backyard feeders, not just to birds, but other squirrels.
There are also two species of flying squirrel, the Northern and Southern flying squirrels, that are found in our area under cover of darkness.
While many people are perfectly fine with the antics of fun, furry squirrels in their yards, readers frequently ask if there are ways to keep squirrels away from their bird feeders. Depending on whom you talk to or where you find your information, there are many options.
One of the most common methods, often touted on websites and in birding publications, is the use of cayenne pepper, mixed with your bird seed mixes or cakes. This gimmick is marketed as harmless to birds and enough of a deterrent to keep squirrels from feasting on your expensive feed.
The jury's still out on that, and based on what I've seen, I recommend against this method.
Researchers have begun to show that not only does the use of hot pepper ingredients in pre-made bird seed and cakes, or mixed in manually, in fact, harm the squirrels, it may also affect the well-being of birds during winter.
Marie Rohrer, owner of Go Wild With Birds in downtown Neenah, took time to contact research professors on the topic and discovered that the ingredients in the pepper products can cause squirrels to rub their paws and faces raw. In addition, it has been demonstrated that the products may lower the body temperature of the birds who feed on it. She was so convinced by the research she was provided that she has ceased selling these products in her shop.
Rohrer is strongly against harming one species to enjoy another and has her own commonsense squirrel-proofing plan for customers who are interested in keeping squirrels from their expensive feed.
"Knowing your distances is so important in keeping squirrels out of your feeders," Rohrer said.
Taking into consideration the distance from your feeders to the surrounding trees and shrubs, the proper distance off the ground to place squirrel-proof baffles, as well as the types of feed that squirrels prefer, are all ways you can protect your feeders from voracious feeding squirrels without causing harm to anyone.
Rohrer, who frequently visits customers at their home or property to examine the landscape and recommend the best possible feeder setup for maximum enjoyment, has developed her own plan of successive solutions to help people who are interested in deterring squirrels from their feeders.
First, she and the customer will determine where to place the feeder station where it can be enjoyed most. Rohrer recommends an absolute minimum distance of six to eight feet from nearby trees and more if there is a vertical drop between the tree and feeder. Any closer than that, and squirrels can easily leap to the feeder.
A squirrel baffle or cone should be placed on the feeder pole at least 3½ feet above the ground.
While there are many squirrel-proof feeders on the market, Rohrer's first suggestion is to use a normal platform feeder placed at the proper distance, namely to attract the largest variety of birds.
Everyone's favorite winter songbird, the northern cardinal, often avoids squirrel-proof feeders, preferring to feed on the ground or a platform feeder.
For situations where this cannot be done, Rohrer has other suggestions as well, including her preferred methods for hanging feeders, appropriate foods and blends and more.
Don't mind the feisty antics of squirrels in your backyard? There are plenty of fun squirrel-feeding products and foods on the market to help entertain these fun, furry animals all year round.
- Robert Zimmer: 920-993-1000, ext. 7154, or firstname.lastname@example.org