Today I put out maize kernels for the squirrels and filled the bird feeder which should keep the little birds happy. The bigger birds are able to feed in the neighbour's garden next door, so my conscience is clear. When I saw the price of some of the commercial squirrel feeders, I thought the manufacturers must have been having a laugh. At the RHS garden shop, there was a squirrel feeder which was just a bit of plywood nailed together for the price of £23. For the squirrels that visit my garden, I would prefer to spend the £23 on food. I just got a plant pot and threaded some strong garden twine through four holes making a holder for the pot, as you can see, and I put a few stones in the bottom to stop the maize kernels falling through the holes. That's it. Job's a good 'en. I'm fairly sure, judging by the amount of squirrels that I have seen this year, that the kernels will have been taken long before they get a chance to be spoiled by the weather.
The birds have it a bit fancier, and more costly, as I bought this strong metal feeder last year. It has four perches and holes for small birds to access the seeds. I often see four birds at a time filling their little faces and throwing chaff all over my garden! Bless them.
Alfie, the resident Ragdoll cat, is on patrol as usual but I've never seen him catch anything yet. I think he tries to stare them to death with his blue eyes. I've seen him just lying there watching them.
