You know I’m always looking for ways to make sure the birds get the birdfeed – not the squirrels! And I’ve discovered a new trick.
The first part of the trick – for food that’s going to end up on the patio, I use no-mess mix – little seeds like millet, and hulled peanuts (which keeps the patio clean). No sunflowers. Another part of the trick – knowing that squirrels go to be before the cardinals do (so do almost all of the other birds – the cardinals can fly through nearly dark conditions>.
So last night at nearly dark, I stood in the back doorway and through small handsful of no-mess out onto the patio, far enough that the cardinals would feel confident about venturing forth even though there was movement in the doorway. And the squirrels might not come at all – the darkness and the movement.
I loved watching the cardinals swooping in on the patio – there must have been over a dozen waiting in the trees, flying in from all directions, finding their piece of peanut and taking off fast.
There were even more this evening when I stood in the doorway with my handful of food. So the cardinals and I are clearing training each other. Isn’t that what friends are for? Teaching each other how to make one another happy…. Yes!