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Here's a collection of photos to tell the story...of DJ & Basil...!
My house in Crawley, UK, became a mini piece of real estate
for wildlife...! I started feeding the local birds, (feathered kind-thank
you) after watching Bill Oddy on TV, saying garden birds were in decline,
mainly due to less food available and more cats...!
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![](wildlife06/squirrel03_t.jpg)
I bought 2 plastic bird feeders. A squirrel appeared the very next day,
un-hooked them and let them fall on the floor, where he ate all of the
nuts...! |
![](wildlife06/squirrel02_t.jpg)
Meet "Basil" (I named him because he is always twitching his bushy
tail or brush, hence Basil Brush) |
![](wildlife06/squirrel01_t.jpg)
I pegged the feeder up so he couldn't un hook it, so he ate the plastic
perches off..! He can eat the nuts, the birds can't...! |
![](wildlife06/squirrel04_t.jpg)
Meet "Sybil" (yes, Faulty towers inspired) Sybil is the wife of
Basil, less destructive & is quite happy with a sandwich on the lawn...! |
![](wildlife06/squirrel07_t.jpg)
So, I bought some "squirrel proof" feeders, and some nice hangars too. Basil
& Sybil within days... |
![](wildlife06/squirrel08_t.jpg)
...had learnt how to get to the food easily...! I even made wire
extensions to hang the feeders lower |
![](wildlife06/squirrel06_t.jpg)
Basil took the longer more difficult glass feeder, couldn't destroy it, but
could have an easy feast... |
![](wildlife06/squirrel05_t.jpg)
...and Sybil took on the metal cage peanut holder.
"SQUIRREL PROOF" feeders??? |
![](wildlife06/birds02_t.jpg)
Blue Tits, Greenfinches, Sparrows & Great Tits (later too fast for a
photo) became regular visitors |
![](wildlife06/squirrel12_t.jpg)
Basil became used to me taking his photo too. I could stand within 5 feet of
him...! |
![](wildlife06/squirrel09_t.jpg)
Even Sybil was used to me and my camera, and didn't mind me leaving nuts on
the ground for her! |
![](wildlife06/birds04_t.jpg)
A female Chaffinch looks on as the squirrels have lunch...which was meant
for the birds...! |
![](wildlife06/feeders01_t.jpg)
I made a "Frisbee & coat hangar" modification to deter him, this lasted just
over two weeks before he worked out how to by-pass it.! |
![](wildlife06/squirrel10_t.jpg)
So, I bought a "Squirrel Feeder" from the internet. Basil watched me fit it
to the wall, then took just over a week to suss it out... |
![](wildlife06/squirrel11_t.jpg)
...then he'd sit quite happy, birds watching him, having a feast. Nuts
behind plastic, lift a lid to get at them. Simple...! |
![](wildlife06/feeders02_t.jpg)
Then my friends Dad made me some metal discs & bars in an advance to my
earlier design |
![](wildlife06/birds03_t.jpg)
The birds were flourishing, 5 nesting families of Blue Tits visible from my
windows |
![](wildlife06/birds01_t.jpg)
This tiny little fledgling looked so cute, exercising its wings and
practising it's flying skills |
![](wildlife06/squirrel13_t.jpg)
For over 6 months, Basil looked but couldn't by pass them, |
![](wildlife06/birds05_t.jpg)
This lesser spotted woodpecker also became a frequent visitor, didn't know
they liked peanuts..! |
Then, in early 2007, Basil sussed it out...! Was amazing to watch him
learning, problem solving, practising.
I wish I had it on video, but never managed to be there ready in time...!
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![](wildlife06/squirrel14_t.jpg)
He'd slide/climb down the fence, then leap the gap onto the feeder... |
![](wildlife06/squirrel16_t.jpg)
...some landings were misplaced, but he would try and grab the perches and
hang on until the swinging stopped... |
![](wildlife06/squirrel15_t.jpg)
...then he'd climb up the the wire, turn round, and hang nose down to
feed. Amazing acrobatics! Only way down was to drop off! |
![](wildlife06/video01_t.JPG)
Click here for a 10 second video clip of rush hour on the bird feeders...!
(Windows Media File)
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