Monthly Archives: January 2020

Squirrel Appreciation Day is January 21st

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Squirrels: An Introduction

Soft, fluffy and entertaining – the definition of a squirrel. In our area we have both Fox Squirrels and Gray Squirrels. You may also see black squirrels, color variants of Gray Squirrels. Both species mate December through February. You may have noticed “chasing”, which is part of the mating ritual. Females give birth to naked, helpless young about 45 days after mating. They nurse the young until about three months of age. They will also mate again in May to June. Males do not help with the raising of the young. Squirrels build nests of twigs and leaves about 35 to 40 feet up, often in the sturdy crotch of a tree.

Food: Dining, Stashing, Chewing

Squirrels are omnivores and will eat all types of seeds including acorns, hickory, walnut, mulberry and hawthorn seeds. They will also consume bird eggs, birds, insects, arthropods and carrion.

Squirrels gather and stash seeds, an important job in the ecosystem. Some of the seeds are never refound, instead sprouting into new trees. These small mammals also serve as a food source for Red-tailed Hawks, Coopers Hawks, owls, coyotes and fox.

Another amazing aspect of squirrels is their teeth. They grow continuously and are very effective at chewing, as those of us who have them around well know.

Other Fun Facts

Those who feed the birds know of the squirrels’ leaping abilities. They can leap ten feet from a solid object such as the side of a tree as well as any man-made structure. It seems as if the only surface that they are unable to climb is glass.

Here is your word of the day – vibrissae. These thick hairs (whiskers) are found on the chin, nose, above and below the eyes, and forearms of squirrels. Squirrels rely on these hairs to enhance their sense of touch.

The Flip Side of Appreciation

However, many people are quick to exclaim about “those darned squirrels!” Who cannot relate to the success of squirrels at our bird feeders? Getting into the feeders is their full-time occupation and they are relentless in their efforts. Looking to keep them out of your feeders? We have answers for you at Wild Birds Unlimited in Grosse Pointe Woods!

Deterrents: Feeders

There are some very effective squirrel resistant feeders including the Eliminator. This feeder has a perch that closes with the weight of a squirrel. The length of the feeder prevents the squirrel from hanging from the top of the feeder or reaching the seed ports below.

Baffles

Placement of feeders that do not have a weight device is important if you do not intend to feed the squirrels. If using a pole system, there are steel baffles that are too wide for their paws to get a sufficient grip and too long for them to over reach the baffle. This type of baffle needs to have its top at five feet off of the ground with all feeders hanging so that the bottom of the feeders are above that five foot position. We do not recommend plastic baffles, as squirrels can easily chew through this material. This type of baffled pole system is only effective if placed ten feet from any object the squirrel can jump from. This includes trees, patio furniture, pots, grills and other feeding setups. When using a baffle above a feeder, the baffle needs to be quite wide or shaped to create a slide assisting the squirrels’ exit. Both types of baffles are carried at WBU GPW.

Seeds

Safflower seed used alone is another effective remedy against feeding squirrels as most do not prefer its’ taste. Hot pepper treated seed is also a good deterrent.

Whether you watch them and have names for the ones in your yard or are among those that wave your fist as you exclaim “Those Darned Squirrels”, let’s commend them on Squirrel Appreciation Day.

 

Cedar Waxwings

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Cedar Waxwings – An Introduction

How fabulous-looking are Cedar Waxwings? The plumage appears soft and perfectly groomed. The facial mask is so striking. The wings have tips that appear as if they have been dipped in bright red wax. The bird has an elegant look, its tail edged in yellow, its head topped with a feathery crest. Winter is a great time to look for these birds as they eat fruit. You’ll find them travelling in flocks, often congregating near trees with berries.

My most recent experience with Cedar Waxwings was at Ira Township Park in New Baltimore. A group of 45 of them attracted my attention, sitting in the sunshine at the tops of trees. They flew down a few at a time to an area behind tangled vines where a creek could be accessed. Daintily dipping their beaks, some drank from the running stream while others stood sentinel above. Such a peaceful sight made the winter walk so rewarding.

Cedar Waxwings are known to pass fruit back and forth. This can be a courtship ritual or bonding between a mated pair. Many times it is not just one bird that passes the fruit. Rather, two birds may pass back and forth until one bird finally eats the berry, typically the female.

On a Personal Note…

The Cedar Waxwing was a prominent bird in the book “Mystery on Mackinaw Island”. The librarian in this story had a stuffed Cedar Waxwing and used it as a signal to let the main character, a young boy, know she needed to see him. The dead bird had been found by him outside of the library when he was nine years old and he gave it to her. The book was a page turner for me – how couldn’t I love a book where the main character aspired to become “a real Bird Man”.

The book came to my attention when I spoke with Kathy Schmitz, a teacher at Kerby Elementary School in Grosse Pointe Farms. Her class was reading the book and she discovered the Cedar Waxwing was our bird of the month for our coloring contest! I look forward to seeing the masterpieces from these children. I hope they feel more deeply connected to the story and the main character as a result of this artistic enterprise.

Thinking Bigger

What can you do to become more engaged and attuned to Cedar Waxwings? Give serious consideration to planting fruiting trees for these beauties. They can subsist for months on a diet of fruit alone. Cornell Laboratory suggests juniper, mountain ash, crabapple and hawthorn as well as their namesake cedars for winter fruit. In summer, serviceberry, strawberry, mulberry, raspberries and dogwoods all provide a good food source. Envision your yard as a place to welcome these lovelies, as you make your planting plans. Get outside and search for berries, and you may be rewarded with some sights similar to these fabulous photographs, compliments of Roberto Viguilla and Marie Read.

Where are the Juncos?

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Dark-eyed Junco by Kevin Murphy, Eliza Howell Park, Detroit

Where are all the Juncos?

We have had a number of customers recently ask where the Dark-eyed Juncos have been. Many have not yet seen them at the feeders this winter. My best experience with Juncos this year has been when we had a recent small snowfall. They were perched on the stems of plants I leave up all winter to provide seeds for the birds.

Now that we are not experiencing snow cover, the seeds available to Juncos make their visits to our feeder less of a necessity. I have been missing their subtle gray coloration and their white “snowy” bellies. I also love that their two outer tail feathers are white on each side, looking like a cheerleader skirt as it flies or spreads its tail.

To attract them to your yard, offer White Proso Millet on a tray feeder. The feeder can be on legs and close to the ground, or on a pole system and higher off of the ground. Either way, this stable platform allows them to eat in a way that true sparrows prefer, simulating their groundfeeding preference.

Enjoy this winter visitor while you can!

Rosann Kovalcik, Owner

Wild Birds Unlimited, Grosse Pointe Woods

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