2017-02-01

National Bird Feeding Month

cat in the crosshairs     
In my day I was quite the bird feeding fanatic, with various feeders set out and kept filled over the course of years.

My enthusiasm diminished with the squirrel populations which innundated the area and took every opportunity to relieve the feeders of their content.

I retaliated with quite a few "squirrel resistant" and "squirrel proof" models but alas; the problem seemed insurmountable and contributed to the cessation of my activities.

There was once a large cement bird bath in my yard which I kept filled with water until I noticed the cats drinking from it whereupon I removed the basin from the pedestal and placed it on the gound upside down never to be filled again. I'd like to point out that these actions were the results of years of frustration and not a knee jerk reaction.

During February we celebrate National Bird Feeding Month. It's purpose is to educate the public regarding the feeding and watching of wild birds.

I enjoy the birds in the area. I'd like to feed and water them. However, the neighbors do not take kindly to me trapping their cats and taking them to the shelter for euthanasia and the squirrels are a never ending struggle with which I enact various eradication programs only to have more come up from the nearby river.