In my zeal to attract and feed the migrating juncos and sparrows, I created a fantasy world for the squirrel population in our neighborhood.
Eastern Gray Squirrels have their first broods of the year in late winter, so there are a lot of tired and hungry parents out there right now.
During the winter I toss a mix of millet and safflower seed on the ground for juncos, doves and sparrows. During spring migration I switch to just millet because the seeds are too small for squirrels and chipmunks to easily vacuum up—not that they don’t try!
Instead I give the squirrels their own consolation food in a different spot so the ground-feeding birds have a fighting chance. Speaking of “fighting”, that’s what happens when there’s free food for squirrels this time of year.
They jockey for positions, wrestle and chase each other ’round and ’round in circles.
Sometimes they’ll eat together in peace for a few moments, but I’ve noticed that they keep their tails tucked over their backs the whole time. Probably because tails are the easiest thing to chomp on in battle.
Losers mosey off to try to raid the hanging feeders. Fortunately they can’t get into these:
The juncos and sparrows will be moving on soon and I’ll stop throwing any seed on the ground. The squirrels better take advantage of the free buffet while they can!
