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UMichBirders for Wednesday, November 19, 2008
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Subject: [birders] FW: Outwitting Squirrels (was relocating
squirrels)
From: "Cendra" <cendra(AT)digitalrealm.net>
Date: 19 Nov 2008 12:34am
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Brilliant, Allen!
Cendra Lynn
From: Allen T. Chartier [mailto:amazilia1(AT)comcast.net]
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 3:25 PM
To: birders(AT)umich.edu
Subject: [birders] Outwitting Squirrels (was relocating squirrels)
Karen,
You wrote:
>>Considering the time, effort, and cost (e.g., gas, traps, bait, etc.) that
people give to trapping, purchasing chili powder, no-mess birdseed, >>and/or
squirrel-proof feeders might be a more humane solution. I have successfully
outwitted squirrels with 4 pricey squirrel-proof feeders >>and no-mess seed.
Last winter I implemented an $8 solution that was 100% effective in keeping
squirrels off my feeders.
I put my feeders on four shepherd's hooks, each one with two hooks, one of
which is removeable. Despite my best efforts, including coating them with
vaseline, the squirrels got to the sunflower feeders. So, I went to the
dollar store and bought four metal Slinky toys, for $2 each. I took off the
second hook and threaded the slinky over the other hook, and then replaced
the second which pinched the top of the slinky, which then fell open around
the main pole of the shepherd's hook, nearly to the ground. The first day,
the squirrels looked at it a little, but never even tried to climb it as it
was too springy. Over the winter, I only saw a very few attempts to climb
this contraption, all of which failed. The squirrels still feed on the
ground below the feeders, but they can no longer access ANY of my feeders.
Allen T. Chartier
amazilia1(AT)comcast.net
Inkster, Michigan, USA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Website: www.amazilia.net
HummerNet: www.amazilia.net/MIHummerNet
Blog: http://mihummingbirdguy.blogspot.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Every day, the hummingbird eats its own weight in food.
You may wonder how it weighs the food.
It doesn't. It just eats another hummingbird.
-- Steven Wright
=========================================
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Subject: [birders] FW: RE: The tragedy of relocat ...
From: "Cendra" <cendra(AT)digitalrealm.net>
Date: 19 Nov 2008 12:35am
. . .and has been stimulating, edifying, and led to the revelation of a
perfectly brilliant squirrel baffle.
Cendra Lynn, Muggle Birder
OWS, A2
-----Original Message-----
From: Maynard Sumner [mailto:m-r-sumner(AT)juno.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 4:01 PM
To: birders(AT)umich.edu
Cc: manlyrs(AT)hotmail.com
Subject: [birders] RE: The tragedy of relocat ...
"Would this long thread be considered "Off Topic"?"
______________________________________________________
On the one hand it is the "Off Season" but on the other hand, this has gone
a long time.
Maynard Sumner
Flint, MI
www.michiganbluebirds.org
____________________________________________________________
Easy-to-use, advanced features, flexible phone systems. Click here for more
info.
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/PnY6rw34S6dcBG8dgUSO9IifJLOuU8Bv
ZNAKfYEAQLoRiqlul2WUX/
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Subject: [birders] Re: OT: Hot Pepper Suet
From: Lee Green MD <greenla(AT)daylight.fp.med.umich.edu>
Date: 19 Nov 2008 8:24am
On Mon, 17 Nov 2008, Wildernest wrote:
> I think you need to be real careful mixing hot pepper into your bird seed.
> I have been assured that there is no risk to bird tummies but what about
> their eyes? Just as you state the pepper really burns your eyes, one would
> think it would have the same effect on bird eyeballs.
Not at all. Hot pepper (capsaicin) doesn't burn your eyes, it makes your
eyes think they're burning. It does no actual damage, it works by setting
off a massive "false alarm" in the pain receptors in your nerves. Birds
have a very different physiology from mammals, and capsaicin simply
doesn't affect them. (There is a chemical that does in birds what
capsaicin does in mammals: methyl anthranilate, aka artifical grape
flavor. If you're ever attacked by an ostrich, shake up that grape
Faygo!)
At the risk of being teleological, that's "why" plants in the pepper
family evolved capsaicin. Birds eat the fruit and disperse the seeds
widely, whereas mammals (especially rodents) actually eat the seeds,
destroying them. Hence, a chemical that discourages mammals but doesn't
affect birds is an evolutionary advantage. -Lee
Lee Green MD MPH
Department of Family Medicine
University of Michigan
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Subject: [birders] Re: OT: Hot Pepper Suet
From: "Sally K Scheer" <winerat(AT)villagecorner.com>
Date: 19 Nov 2008 10:02am
Never jump to conclusions without facts from many sources to help you make
good decisions. See how productive this OT discussion has been?
Sally Scheer
Rogers City MI
Shore of Lake Huron
Presque Isle County
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lee Green MD" <greenla(AT)daylight.fp.med.umich.edu>
To: <birders(AT)umich.edu>
Cc: <birders(AT)umich.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 8:24 AM
Subject: [birders] Re: OT: Hot Pepper Suet
> On Mon, 17 Nov 2008, Wildernest wrote:
>
>> I think you need to be real careful mixing hot pepper into your bird
>> seed.
>> I have been assured that there is no risk to bird tummies but what about
>> their eyes? Just as you state the pepper really burns your eyes, one
>> would
>> think it would have the same effect on bird eyeballs.
>
> Not at all. Hot pepper (capsaicin) doesn't burn your eyes, it makes your
> eyes think they're burning. It does no actual damage, it works by setting
> off a massive "false alarm" in the pain receptors in your nerves. Birds
> have a very different physiology from mammals, and capsaicin simply
> doesn't affect them. (There is a chemical that does in birds what
> capsaicin does in mammals: methyl anthranilate, aka artifical grape
> flavor. If you're ever attacked by an ostrich, shake up that grape
> Faygo!)
>
> At the risk of being teleological, that's "why" plants in the pepper
> family evolved capsaicin. Birds eat the fruit and disperse the seeds
> widely, whereas mammals (especially rodents) actually eat the seeds,
> destroying them. Hence, a chemical that discourages mammals but doesn't
> affect birds is an evolutionary advantage. -Lee
>
> Lee Green MD MPH
> Department of Family Medicine
> University of Michigan
>
> ---
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>
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>
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Subject: [birders] squirrel proofing
From: "AlanWalker" <ywalker1680(AT)wideopenwest.com>
Date: 19 Nov 2008 10:12am
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I have three bird houses on PVC poles. I did this on the advice of an
ecologist who said squirrels can't climb PVC. Since I already have baffles
on my feeders I haven't tried the PVC for feeders but I have never seen a
squirrel on my bird houses. There are black, grey (gray), fox, and red
squirrels here in Royal Oak as well as chipmunks until the cold puts them to
sleep. The PVC might be worth a try.
Alan Walker
Royal Oak
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Subject: [birders] Re: expert cautions about invasive plants in bird
seed
From: Larry Nooden <ldnum(AT)umich.edu>
Date: 19 Nov 2008 10:38am
You can bet it was a contaminant in bird seed. Farmers/producers are
supposed to keep these fields clear of weeds, but some do not. I do not
know these laws very well, but I do know that the production of farm seed
stock is fairly strict and yet I have seen plenty of contamination by weed
seeds.
The solution? Watch for new plants around your feeders and remove them
before they set seed. You will do us all a favor.
Also, if your bird seed is dirty or has a lot of "other" seeds in it, you
might avoid this brand and complain to the retailer.
--On Tuesday, November 18, 2008 10:21 PM -0500 Mark Charles
<mark_h_charles(AT)hotmail.com> wrote:
> "... when we informally questioned landowners and farmers to investigate
> the spread of a relatively new weed in the Pacific Northwest - velvetleaf
> (Abutilon theophrasti) - we found it is growing in the soil beneath
> backyard bird feeders." Dr. Jed Colquhoun, associate professor at the
> University of Wisconsin - Madison, formerly with Oregon State University.
>
> http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/10/prweb1457034.htm
>
> Mark Charles
> 2326 Easy Street
> Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
> mark_h_charles(AT)hotmail.com
> cell: 734-478-1333
> http://wetmeadow.blogspot.com
> ---
>
>
>
>
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Subject: [birders] Re: squirrel proofing
From: John Lowry <john(AT)kingbird.org>
Date: 19 Nov 2008 10:39am
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charset=WINDOWS-1252;
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I would bet money that squirrels can climb PVC if there's a sunflower =20=
seed feeder at the top. Brand new slippery PVC might be tough, but =20
have you seen how persistent these guys are?
Regarding translocation of nuisance mammals, it's probably a good =20
thing to keep in mind "carrying capacity" of a site. In other words, =20=
if a particular site is suitable for a widely distributed mammal, it's =20=
already at carrying capacity. Any additional individuals will not =20
survive. They'll either become road kill, get picked off by a =20
predator, or succumb to starvation or disease caused by malnutrition. =20=
It's a five pound bag - you can't put ten pounds in it. So relocating =20=
squirrels, etc., is cruel folly. Reduce the attraction and deal with =20=
the consequences on your own site.
My feeder issues are a pain. I have adjoining marsh and woods, so all =20=
the mammals are here, and I hang feeders from a tree. I'm just asking =20=
for destroyed seed feeders - and I regularly find them emptied on the =20=
ground in the morning with bite marks. I have to remember to bring =20
them in at night.
On Nov 19, 2008, at 10:12 AM, AlanWalker wrote:
>
> <image001.jpg>
> I have three bird houses on PVC poles. I did this on the advice of =20
> an ecologist who said squirrels can=92t climb PVC. Since I already =20=
> have baffles on my feeders I haven=92t tried the PVC for feeders but I =
=20
> have never seen a squirrel on my bird houses. There are black, grey =20=
> (gray), fox, and red squirrels here in Royal Oak as well as =20
> chipmunks until the cold puts them to sleep. The PVC might be worth =20=
> a try.
>
> Alan Walker
> Royal Oak
John Lowry
Hamburg Twp
Livingston County
john(AT)kingbird.org
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Subject: [birders] Re: The tragedy of relocating squirrels
From: Dave Sing <dsing(AT)umich.edu>
Date: 19 Nov 2008 10:47am
----INCLUDING text/plain MIME SECTION----
My two drachma on this;
I'm certainly no paragon, but I gave up years ago trying to
specifically attract only birds I like to my feeders.
We have deer, squirrels, chipmunk, raccoons, opossum, skunk, coyote,
red fox and a variety of smaller
mammals in the neighborhood, and with the birds, they are all part of
the ecosystem of our environs. I set
out black oilers and let 'er rip. No comment on transporting
squirrels, other than if you remove something,
something else will take its place. If your neighborhood generally
has squirrels, you may never stop doing this.
Safflower is a fair alternative but can get messy... as the squirrels
won't clean up under the feeders.
If variety is what you want habitat is more important than feeder
offerings, and with variety you may get
unexpected critters - this can be 'good' or 'bad', depending on your
expectations. I say lower them, and
enjoy the show.
Anyway, I love every critter that comes into our yard, even the
cowbirds (native species) and the starlings (not
native, excellent Cooper's hawk snack) and even the squirrels. It's
all good and all part of a vibrant ecosystem.
Watching the siskins in the snowy arborvitae - DBS Chelsea MI
At 10:59 AM 11/18/2008, Karen Markey wrote:
>For me, your message is unsettling. Relocating a female squirrel
>between February and July dooms a nest of baby squirrels. Imagine
>the babies' plight, waiting in vain for mother to return, and dying
>a very slow and painful death of starvation. Perhaps the crows,
>vultures, and blue jays released the babies from their tragic
>plight, making a meal of them in their weakened state -- an indirect
>way that trappers feed the birds. No doubt mother died trying to
>find her way back to the nest -- doomed crossing busy highways and
>exposed to natural predators.
>
>Considering the time, effort, and cost (e.g., gas, traps, bait,
>etc.) that people give to trapping, purchasing chili powder, no-mess
>birdseed, and/or squirrel-proof feeders might be a more humane
>solution. I have successfully outwitted squirrels with 4 pricey
>squirrel-proof feeders and no-mess seed.
>
>I have come to the realization that my feeders are an expensive and
>self-serving hobby. My feeders attract other undesirables such as
>brown-headed cowbirds, starlings, grackles, and house sparrows. It
>is impossible to discriminate so I enjoy watching all the birds and
>rejoice on those rare occasions when siskins (2008), redpolls
>(2007), or crossbills (1999) pay a visit.
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Subject: There are more squirrels in your backyard than you think.
>From: Thomas Schlack <<mailto:tschlack(AT)wowway.com>tschlack(AT)wowway.com>
>Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:57:44 -0500
>X-Message-Number: 1
>
>... get rid of the squirrels in my backyard. I bought a live trap.
>I take thesquirrels to Dodge Park and release them. It's 2 miles
>from my house .... I never realized what would happen. The first
>year I caught 103, the second year 58, and so far this fall 41 ... I
>wrote a humorous speech about it ... came in second place in the
>District 28 Toastmaster Humorous Speech Contest ...
>
>* * * * * * * * * * * * *
>Karen Markey
>Professor
>School of Information, 304 West Hall, 1085 S. Univ. Ave.
>University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1107 USA
>Voice: 1-734-763-3581; Fax: 1-734-764-2475
>Email: <mailto:ylime(AT)umich.edu>ylime(AT)umich.edu
>Web site:
><http://www.si.umich.edu/~ylime/index.html>http://www.si.umich.edu/~ylime/index.html
>
>
>---
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[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: [birders] Re: OT: Hot Pepper Suet
From: wovenwoman(AT)aol.com
Date: 19 Nov 2008 10:46am
----INCLUDING text/plain MIME SECTION----
Great little bit of information, thanks for this post. Will have to remember the
grape juice thing when ostriching.
Namaste,
Edie
-----Original Message-----
From: Lee Green MD <greenla(AT)daylight.fp.med.umich.edu>
To: birders(AT)umich.edu
Cc: birders(AT)umich.edu
Sent: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 8:24 am
Subject: [birders] Re: OT: Hot Pepper Suet
On Mon, 17 Nov 2008, Wildernest wrote:?
?
> I think you need to be real careful mixing hot pepper into your bird seed.?
> I have been assured that there is no risk to bird tummies but what about?
> their eyes? Just as you state the pepper really burns your eyes, one would?
> think it would have the same effect on bird eyeballs.?
?
Not at all. Hot pepper (capsaicin) doesn't burn your eyes, it makes your eyes
think they're burning. It does no actual damage, it works by setting off a
massive "false alarm" in the pain receptors in your nerves. Birds have a very
different physiology from mammals, and capsaicin simply doesn't affect them.
(There is a chemical that does in birds what capsaicin does in mammals: methyl
anthranilate, aka artifical grape flavor. If you're ever attacked by an ostrich,
shake up that grape Faygo!)?
?
At the risk of being teleological, that's "why" plants in the pepper family
evolved capsaicin. Birds eat the fruit and disperse the seeds widely, whereas
mammals (especially rodents) actually eat the seeds, destroying them. Hence, a
chemical that discourages mammals but doesn't affect birds is an evolutionary
advantage. -Lee?
?
Lee Green MD MPH?
Department of Family Medicine?
University of Michigan?
?
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?
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To?
resubscribe use SUBSCRIBE BIRDERS Your Name. ?
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[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: [birders] Tonight: Backyard Wildlife Habitat is free
Washtenaw Audubon event, Wed., Nov. 19, Ann Arbor
From: Mike Sefton <mseft(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 19 Nov 2008 8:10am
----INCLUDING text/plain MIME SECTION----
Birders and friends,=20
=A0=20
Please join us for the free program below.=A0 This event is open to the pub=
lic; membership is not required.=20
=A0=20
Washtenaw Audubon Society=20
=A0=20
Wednesday, November 19, 7:30pm=20
=A0=20
Improving Wildlife Habitat in Your Backyard=20
=A0=20
Thomas Funke will share ecological principles that shape what plants can be=
planted and which birds and animals will be attracted to your backyard.=A0=
Using these principles, one can better create backyard habitat for birds a=
nd other wildlife while living peacefully with wildlife that one may find u=
ndesirable.=A0=A0 Thomas Funke is a conservation biologist and is the Direc=
tor of Conservation for the Michigan Audubon Society.=20
=A0=20
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Washtenaw Audubon programs are held at th=
e University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 North Dixboro Rd.=
, Ann Arbor. Call Washtenaw Audubon at 677-3275 if you have questions about=
the program.=20
=A0=20
In addition to the program, hear news of the latest critter sightings and f=
ield trips, and enjoy a plethora of tasty comestibles following the program=
.=20
=A0=20
Hope to see you there.=20
=A0=20
Mike Sefton=20
Washtenaw Audubon Society=20
www.washtenawaudubon.org=0A=0A=0A
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[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: [birders] Re: expert cautions about invasive plants in bird
seed
From: "Sally K Scheer" <winerat(AT)villagecorner.com>
Date: 19 Nov 2008 1:54pm
At the risk of sounding sort of snotty: Try growing your own sunflower seeds
in a huge field with gas at $4.00 per gallon which you then can sell at $22
for 50# (buy the bags, labor to fill the bags, transportation from the field
to the processor to the retailer) before you complain about possible weed
seeds in your bird food. Farmers do not cultivate much anymore. Instead they
rely on no-till practices which require a lot of chemicals to control weeds
because driving over and over the field to cultivate is much too time
consuming for farmers who must have an outside job to pay the bills and gas
consuming at the price of fuel.
Who says farmers are supposed to keep these fields clear of weeds? I've
never heard of such a law. Seed stock is completely different than bird
seed. Seed stocks go through a whole lot more processing (and of course cost
much more per pound than bird seed) to clean contaminants. Even people seeds
have contaminants. Haven't you ever found a little pebble in with your dried
beans? I sure have.
Sorry to go off on this, but we've all gotten so far away from the process
of growing food that most people have no idea what's involved. No, milk does
not come from the dairy case, it comes from a cow.
Sally Scheer
Rogers City MI
Shore of Lake Huron
Presque Isle County
----- Original Message -----
From: "Larry Nooden" <ldnum(AT)umich.edu>
To: <birders(AT)umich.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 10:38 AM
Subject: [birders] Re: expert cautions about invasive plants in bird seed
> You can bet it was a contaminant in bird seed. Farmers/producers are
> supposed to keep these fields clear of weeds, but some do not. I do not
> know these laws very well, but I do know that the production of farm seed
> stock is fairly strict and yet I have seen plenty of contamination by weed
> seeds.
>
> The solution? Watch for new plants around your feeders and remove them
> before they set seed. You will do us all a favor.
>
> Also, if your bird seed is dirty or has a lot of "other" seeds in it,
> you
> might avoid this brand and complain to the retailer.
>
> --On Tuesday, November 18, 2008 10:21 PM -0500 Mark Charles
> <mark_h_charles(AT)hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> "... when we informally questioned landowners and farmers to investigate
>> the spread of a relatively new weed in the Pacific Northwest - velvetleaf
>> (Abutilon theophrasti) - we found it is growing in the soil beneath
>> backyard bird feeders." Dr. Jed Colquhoun, associate professor at the
>> University of Wisconsin - Madison, formerly with Oregon State University.
>>
>> http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/10/prweb1457034.htm
>>
>> Mark Charles
>> 2326 Easy Street
>> Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
>> mark_h_charles(AT)hotmail.com
>> cell: 734-478-1333
>> http://wetmeadow.blogspot.com
>> ---
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> ---
> * birders FAQ - http://www.umich.edu/~bbowman/birds/birders_FAQ.html
> * photo sharing site -
> http://www.umich.edu/~bbowman/birds/se_mich/photos.html
>
> * To unsubscribe from birders(AT)umich.edu send a blank message to
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>
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[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: [birders] Lesser Black-backed Gull, Snow Goose - Ann Arbor -
Wed., Nov. 19
From: Mike Sefton <mseft(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 19 Nov 2008 11:16am
----INCLUDING text/plain MIME SECTION----
Birders,
=A0 The Ann Arbor Landfill big pond had an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull (=
Leroy?) and a white morph Snow Goose among 400 Canada Geese, 50 Mallards, 8=
Bufflehead, and 30 Ring-billed Gulls at 1:45pm today.
Mike Sefton
Ann Arbor
http://www.washtenawaudubon.org/=0A=0A=0A
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