Unexpected feeder issue
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Peter Vickery
Jun 18, 2011, 10:53:17 PM6/18/11
to Maine Birds
We have several feeders and use one of those curved poles that look like a shepherd's stick with a curve at the end.
Our's has two curves, one above the other and they come together on the central pole at a sharp angle.
Somehow a Downy Woodpecker got her leg caught in this sharp pinch-like angle. Ouch. It was an unhappy bird and I released it quickly.
I plan to use some duct tape to smooth over this pinch point, even if it might give squirrels a boost.
I don't know if anyone else has experienced this, hopefully not, but thought it worth mentioning.
Best, Peter
Linda Scotland
Jun 19, 2011, 6:54:30 AM6/19/11
to Peter Vickery, Maine Birds
I had to rescue a squirrel who had gotten his leg caught
the same way. Wasn't an easy thing to do as he was frantic and trying
to bite me.
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Derek and Jeannette Lovitch
Jun 19, 2011, 2:57:29 PM6/19/11
to Maine Birds, Peter Vickery
Hi all,
Considering the number of "shephard's hook" bird feeder and planter poles out there, this does seem to be a very rare occurrence. However, in the 7 years we've been in the business, we have heard of this at least twice. Just a few month ago, for example, I raced over to a customer's house to free a caught squirrel (I threw a blanket over it, then wrapped it, before manipulating the leg and pole to free it).
There's a bunch of companies that make (made) shepherd's hooks and most seem not to be a problem. However, the description Peter provided sounded like the pole that I rescued that squirrel from. Basically, when birds or anything else land on the pole, they can slide down into that crevice between the two hooks and get wedged in there, especially as they panic and try to get out, only to slip further.
Although the incidences of this appear to be very rare, we have been recommending that anyone with a multi-hook shepherd's pole check the joint where the hooks connect to the main pole. Most will have a seperation wide enough as to not be a problem. Others will have the hooks welded well enough that there is no "pinch point."
However, if you believe there is a chance of something sliding down between the two hooks, we recommend using a fine wire to wrap around the joint, up to about 1" above the "pinch point." The seal does not have to be perfect, as it just needs to prevent the foot from sliding too low towards the "pinch point." We do not recommend tape of any sort or glue to seal up the joint as either of these could melt or in the case of tape, fray, resulting in sticky substances being exposed to birds that could result in entrapment as well.
Also, if you have a double-hook with a 1/2" square pole and removable hooks, we have an adapter that has been designed for stability, but seems to completely reduce the chance of something sliding into the "pinch point."
As for Peter's comment about the tape perhaps giving "squirrels a boost," this should be moot as a properly placed pole with a properly-sized and place baffle won't have any squirrel's on it!
Hope that helps,
-Derek
------------------ Jeannette and Derek Lovitch Freeport Wild Bird Supply 541 Route One, Suite 10 Freeport, ME 04032 Ph: (207)865-6000/Fax: (207)865-6069 www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com Visit our E-store http://store.freeportwildbirdsupply.com/ --- On Sun, 6/19/11, Peter Vickery <peterv...@roadrunner.com> wrote: |
|
Walter Ellison
Jun 19, 2011, 7:05:48 PM6/19/11
to Maine Birds
Hello from Maryland,
Another simple solution to the shepherd's crook pole problem: When I (Nancy Martin) worked in a bird feeding supply store a number of years ago, the double-crook poles we sold came with a large washer, sized to slide onto one of the hooks and over to the joint where the two hooks came together. It rested at an angle in the notch, preventing wayward feet from sliding all the way into the 'pinch point'.
Best,
Nancy Martin
Chestertown, Maryland
Another simple solution to the shepherd's crook pole problem: When I (Nancy Martin) worked in a bird feeding supply store a number of years ago, the double-crook poles we sold came with a large washer, sized to slide onto one of the hooks and over to the joint where the two hooks came together. It rested at an angle in the notch, preventing wayward feet from sliding all the way into the 'pinch point'.
Best,
Nancy Martin
Chestertown, Maryland
Dance
Jun 19, 2011, 8:22:55 PM6/19/11
to Maine birds
I had the terrible experience one frigid dawn to find a cardinal
frozen stiff with his leg stuck in my shepherd's hook. I expect the
metal was icy and he had fallen the previous day and I hadn't seen him
when I came home in the dark. The gap was just wide enough for a
bird's leg. I took a piece of thick twine and wound it around the
upright part up to where they widened. The twine was thick enough to
fill the space and I can still separate the two pieces. I check it
and replace it every couple of years when it disintegrates. It may
not happen often but it's a terrible thing to think what that bird
went through and I'm glad you are spreading the word.
~Barbara
On Jun 18, 10:53 pm, Peter Vickery <petervick...@roadrunner.com>
wrote:
frozen stiff with his leg stuck in my shepherd's hook. I expect the
metal was icy and he had fallen the previous day and I hadn't seen him
when I came home in the dark. The gap was just wide enough for a
bird's leg. I took a piece of thick twine and wound it around the
upright part up to where they widened. The twine was thick enough to
fill the space and I can still separate the two pieces. I check it
and replace it every couple of years when it disintegrates. It may
not happen often but it's a terrible thing to think what that bird
went through and I'm glad you are spreading the word.
~Barbara
On Jun 18, 10:53 pm, Peter Vickery <petervick...@roadrunner.com>
wrote:
Judith & Reid Scher
Jun 19, 2011, 8:43:43 PM6/19/11
to Dance, Maine birds
I had a similar issue w/ a corncob squirrel feeder. It was shaped like a cornstalk w/ metal "cornsilk" prongs at the top. I found a drenched squirrel caught by its tail and hanging upside down in cold rain. The metal prongs were just too close. Luckily I got there in time. Just another instance of decoration at expense of safe function.
Judy
From: Dance <baco...@gmail.com>
To: Maine birds <maine...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sun, June 19, 2011 8:22:55 PM
Subject: [Maine-birds] Re: Unexpected feeder issue
Down East Nature Tours
Jun 21, 2011, 5:36:24 PM6/21/11
to Walter Ellison, Maine Birds
Hello all,
Another simple solution is to stop feeding “the
predators” and the birds....until the nesting period is
over... Bird feed attracts avian predators to your yards and is part of
the suburbanization problem in Maine and the reason for some of the
decline of neotropical migrants. Feed your birds all winter
but avoid the nesting season. I stop feeding birds (except
suet) from April to August and usually do not start up until
colder weather approaches.
If you stop feeding the “predators” you may find you have more Warblers
around your home....... what a concept.
Michael
Michael J.
Good, MS
President Down East Nature Tours
Founder and Director 13th Acadia Birding Festival June 2-5, 2011
Co-founder Penobscot Watershed Eco Center
150 Knox Road
Bar Harbor, Maine 04609
207-288-8128 / 207-479-4256
in...@DownEastNatureTours.com
www.DownEastNatureTours.com
in...@AcadiaBirdingFestival.com
www.AcadiaBirdingFestival.com
President Down East Nature Tours
Founder and Director 13th Acadia Birding Festival June 2-5, 2011
Co-founder Penobscot Watershed Eco Center
150 Knox Road
Bar Harbor, Maine 04609
207-288-8128 / 207-479-4256
in...@DownEastNatureTours.com
www.DownEastNatureTours.com
in...@AcadiaBirdingFestival.com
www.AcadiaBirdingFestival.com
Florence Maguire
Jun 21, 2011, 8:03:01 PM6/21/11
to Down East Nature Tours, Walter Ellison, Maine Bird List
Michael,
Why do you keep on using suet and not the other bird food? I do it the other way around but I’m just an amateur. Explain please so I may learn. Thanks.
Flo in Scarborough
Why do you keep on using suet and not the other bird food? I do it the other way around but I’m just an amateur. Explain please so I may learn. Thanks.
Flo in Scarborough
On 6/21/11 5:36 PM, "Down East Nature Tours" <in...@downeastnaturetours.com> wrote:
Hello all,
Another simple solution is to stop feeding “the predators” and the birds....until the nesting period is over... Bird feed attracts avian predators to your yards and is part of the suburbanization problem in Maine and the reason for some of the decline of neotropical migrants. Feed your birds all winter but avoid the nesting season. I stop feeding birds (except suet) from April to August and usually do not start up until colder weather approaches.
If you stop feeding the “predators” you may find you have more Warblers around your home....... what a concept.
Michael
Michael J. Good, MS
President Down East Nature Tours
Founder and Director 13th Acadia Birding Festival June 2-5, 2011
Co-founder Penobscot Watershed Eco Center
150 Knox Road
Bar Harbor, Maine 04609
207-288-8128 / 207-479-4256
in...@DownEastNatureTours.com
www.DownEastNatureTours.com
in...@AcadiaBirdingFestival.com
www.AcadiaBirdingFestival.com
Visit our E-store http://store.freeportwildbirdsupply.com/
--- On Sun, 6/19/11, Peter Vickery mailto:peterv...@roadrunner.com wrote:
Rebecca Sumner
Jun 21, 2011, 8:02:12 PM6/21/11
to Maine Birds
That's one perspective, but it doesn't solve the
original problem of birds getting trapped by feeder poles.
Just for the record, I've been feeding birds year
round for more than 20 years, and I rarely see predadors in my yard. And
of those that I have seen, most have been in the winter, not during the
breeding season. Since bird feeding has the potential of attracting
predators any time of year, it wouldn't seem to matter what time of year one
feeds or does not feed the birds. Others with more expertise than me, have
stated here that feeding birds in the summer does not adversely affect
them. I bow to their collective knowledge.
Wally S.
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