Pictured: Squirrel raids 'squirrel proof' bird feeder

Mike Keegan

November 04, 2009

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THE lure of a tasty lunch couldn't stop this squirrel - despite the 'squirrel proof' bird feeder.

The stunning images here were captured by M.E.N reader John Riding who saw the drama unfold in his back garden.

He said: "He climbed on, had a look, decided he was going in and that was it."

John, of Quickedge Road, Mossley, added: "It was really quite funny for a minute or two as he frantically scrambled all around the inside of the cage as if he were looking for a door.

"He was definitely starting to panic when he eventually found he could squeeze his head through one of the larger holes. He managed to get his front legs through as well and then it was simply a case of push as hard as you can."

A spokesman for Gardman, who manufacture the 'Squirrel Proof Feeder' at £24.99, said they would forward the pictures to their product manager.

He said: "I have to say that, out of several thousand already sold, a couple have been found to have just one of the holes in the wire mesh that was slightly too large."

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Gone in a single flush (04/11/2009 at 09:33)

I have squirrels in my garden, including this years offspring which are approx half the size of adults and more than capable of squeezing through gaps like those shown. The one pictured I would wager is a young'un.

bubbob, manchester (04/11/2009 at 10:44)

I cant stand the excitement, first the Rooneys have a kid and now this, we are now officially in a news meltdown I think!!!!!

Frosty Box, Rochdale (04/11/2009 at 11:47)

What a story and to think i nearly missed this ground breaking news reading about the 5 soldiers shot dead in Afghanistan.

Vodka's best taken first thing in the morning . (04/11/2009 at 11:49)

Bubobb - you made me squirt soup through my nose by trying to sifle an in office laugh !!

tiggerluc, somewhere in shaw (04/11/2009 at 12:11)

Piece of advice- nothing is Squirral proof when it comes to feeders like this.

Lancashire 4ever, Pendlebury, Manchester, Lancashire (04/11/2009 at 12:28)

Nice one Squirrel

Fanny Ayres, Woodhouse Park (04/11/2009 at 12:38)

I don't have any trouble with squirrels anymore. I have many unprotected bird feeders in my garden that attracts many a variety of birds throughout the year. Having said that, the reason might have something to do that my loft became home to squirrels a couple of years ago causing untold damage. the problem was solved by culling these vermin with my trusty air rifle. Some do try coming back but their try is short lived very short lived. (excuse the pun)

DukkyKaz, Dukinfield (04/11/2009 at 12:50)

I really like stories like this one, its nice to read something cute and amusing rather than the usual doom and gloom.

We have squirrels on our works premises and try as we might to fool them, they always get the better of us. I have to agree with "tiggerluc" that nothing is squirrel proof.

Some people do look upon them as vermin (rats with bushy tails) but not me, i love them and the ones in the trees at work keep me amused on otherwise dull dreary work days!

PW, Manchester (04/11/2009 at 13:03)

I discovered 7 squirrels in my loft, and was at first disconcerted to see 7 rat-faces staring at me in torchlight. Rather than try to KILL them , I chased them out and then spread some wood preservative on the timbers which caused a terrible stink. That made sure they didn't return, and I was able to block off the hole where they had come through.

Fanny Ayres, Woodhouse Park (04/11/2009 at 13:06)

"DukkyKaz, Dukinfield
Some people do look upon them as vermin (rats with bushy tails) but not me, i love them and the ones in the trees at work keep me amused on otherwise dull dreary work days!"

It is not some people that look on them as vermin. They Are vermin by law.

Bob Hope (04/11/2009 at 13:09)

I hate squirrels and their are far too many where i live, i wish the council would take greater measures to curb them. For too long have they dug up my garden and tubs in winter. I'm going to put poison nuts down this winter, any bird casualties would be well worth a drop in squirrel numbers.

Brock, Hulme (04/11/2009 at 13:57)

Squirral stuffed with nuts, yummy! Its the new white meat. No honestly squirral tastes wonderful and thay are a pest, thay are natures own arsonists and often chewing through wiring and burning down houses, thay eat fluffy chicks, destroy trees and are going to make our native red squirral extint. But thay are a delight to eat, gamey and low in fat, think of them as a kind of tree rabbit. Thay are also fully free range, organic and in season right now, and you will be doing your bit for conservation, Its what mother nature would want you to do! Ask your local independent butcher of game dealer, trust me thay will be able to get hold of some for you.

Andanotherthing, Mcr (04/11/2009 at 14:12)

Brock, Hulme
4/11/2009 at 13:57

You fool ! Now they are going cook it on Master chef and it will treble in price like lamb shanks...

Mrs Jammy, Sitting on the settee (04/11/2009 at 14:24)

Brilliant - squirrel outwits human inventors of so called squirrel proof feeder!!

Bob Hope - I really think that you need some help, first your comments about hitting children and now this. You should be avoided by all living creatures.

Frosty Box, Rochdale (04/11/2009 at 14:54)

Mrs Jammy, i have to say im with you

I cant work out if Bob Hopes an arroant little teenager or a miserable old victor meldrew with a serious chip on his shoulder.
Either way he needs to grow up.

gillykins, urmston (04/11/2009 at 15:31)

1 nil to the squirrels!!! Marvelous!

Free Red, Manchester (04/11/2009 at 15:31)

“I hate squirrels and their are far too many where i live, i wish the council would take greater measures to curb them. For too long have they dug up my garden and tubs in winter. I'm going to put poison nuts down this winter, any bird casualties would be well worth a drop in squirrel numbers. Bob Hope, 4/11/2009 at 13:09

I like wild animals in my garden so I would not bother with a squirrel proof bird feeder in the first place. I don't get many squirrels but if I did I would just put more food out and to hell with the lawn, pot plants, trees and whatever they gnaw, dig up or otherwise irritate other by messing with. They have a right to life too!

Lovable Blue Frog. Any pond life around here by any chance?, Manchester (04/11/2009 at 18:36)

Free Red, Manchester
4/11/2009 at 15:31

They are not that bad. At worse all they could do is eat your nuts if you have any.

Lovable Blue Frog. Any pond life around here by any chance?, Manchester (04/11/2009 at 19:08)

I am a dope, I meant bob hope

Free Red, Manchester (05/11/2009 at 14:38)

Yeah, but you made me laugh (lol)

It may be 33 yrs but it will never be 37yrs. (05/11/2009 at 16:54)

A spokesman for Gardman, who manufacture the 'Squirrel Proof Feeder' at £24.99, said they would forward the pictures to their product manager. Gardman are laughing all the way to the bank, if I were you John Riding I would ask for a refund, you have the pics to prove the product is a demic.

Lovable Blue Frog. Any pond life around here by any chance?, Manchester (05/11/2009 at 17:07)

If squirrels don't get their nuts they lose weight! which allows them to get through small gaps. Then there are baby squirrels?. You might have to make the holes that small that you end up defeating the object whereby birds don't get in. You might as well go and buy a wholesale sack of nuts and seed and share them out equally between the birds and the squirrels.

Lovable Blue Frog. Any pond life around here by any chance?, Manchester (05/11/2009 at 17:33)

Have had another look and it looks like the wire is soldered wonky on the fourth row up.

Andanotherthing, Mcr (05/11/2009 at 18:25)

Genious Esso.

Lovable Blue Frog. Any pond life around here by any chance?, Manchester (05/11/2009 at 19:08)

andanotherthing, do you remember the MEN story godless on the buses? The priest cup of tea and the tutting.

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