Bird Feeder Solutions
Every season of the year it is a challenge to try to outsmart the very clever and persistent squirrels who raid the bird feeder. In the spring and summer, it becomes a battle to discourage the starlings and black birds who seem to feed voraciously until the feeder is empty and, while doing so, keep the desirable birds away. One solution that doesn't affect the birds while deterring the squirrels is to add cayenne pepper to the bird seed. However, that solution adds considerable to the expense of your birding hobby if you feed many birds. There are some new bird feeders available which may help both of these problems however. The first is available from Garden Escape and may be ordered on-line.
The second birdfeeder is from the DeerBusters catalog (they do more a lot more than just Deer stuff!). Although not as attractive as the feeder mentioned above, this one employs a counterweight system that "even the most persistent squirrel can't outsmart", and it can be adjusted to keep out large birds as well. See a picture of this birdfeeder in their on-line catalog.
Just think of the hours of enjoyment you can have this winter as you watch the squirrels trying to figure out these feeders!