4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Terrific book for bird lovers and squirrel haters, June 14, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Dick E. Bird's Birdfeeding 101: A Tongue-In-Beak Guide to Suet, Seed, and Squirrelly Neighbors (Paperback)
This is a terrific, and funny, little book. Visiting a friend, we found a copy in her bathroom. It's great bathroom reading -- one line, cartoon, or many. I love the cartoon showing a man in a hospital bed with his arms and legs in casts, with a squirrel looking in the window. The squirrel says, "it's only a game. Don't take it seriously."
I'm buying a copy for me, and two copies for friends.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Make Peace not War!, December 5, 2005
This review is from: Dick E. Bird's Birdfeeding 101: A Tongue-In-Beak Guide to Suet, Seed, and Squirrelly Neighbors (Paperback)
I can't believe there,s only been 2 Reviews on this book!Both are 5 Stars and it doesn't surprise me.For a backyard birdfeeder ,hunt as you may,it would be easier to win your battle with the squirrels,than to find a better book on the subject;and even if you did,it wouldn't compare with the enjoyment this book will give you.It was first published in 1997
and I see it is still commanding the original price.The reason for that is simple--it's worth it.Come to think of it,maybe the reason there have been only 2 Reviews to date is that of all the backyard feeders are too tired out from battling the squirrels or from all those maneouvers,their brains have turned to mush;and they can't retain a thought anymore to allow them to write it down.If that describes you,this book will become your Bible and you can become "Born Again" and learn how to enjoy the whole scene of birdfeeding;yes,and even get to enjoy the squirrels.You might as well;never mind winning the war,you haven't even won a battle,or even a skirmish yet--and to put it frankly,you're not likely to!
This book of 197 pages is jam-packed with everything you ever wanted to know,much which you have never even thought about,and maybe even stuff you don't even want to know.I believe we already established that,after all you're probably battle fatigued,if not downright shell-shocked.After reading this book ,and laughing all the way through it,you'll be walking around with such a big smile on your face,that everyone ,especially your family,will think you have finally 'lost it' (maybe the appropriate words is gone nuts)over the squirrels.With this book, you will finally have all the answers and your life with the birds and the squirrels,
(forget the bees,they don't even come into the discussion)other than that aspect of your life will probably improve with the reduction in your stress level.
I have been feeding the birds for many years and ran the whole gamut of feeders,seed types,pie-plate shields,spools on the wire,grease on the pole,slinkys (boy, did the squirrels love that till they learned the trick.One stretched it down while the other climbed up it).
Well we are all at peace now around here.Not only has the cease fire lasted a couple of years,maybe those guys in the Mid East should take notice,but I really believe the war is over.Not only did nobody lose;we're all winners.
I am not trying to one-up the author,but here,s where I finally ended up.
Since I can't make a sketch here;I'll try to describe my present feeding station.It is somewhat like you see on page 31.
It is free standing,about 25 feet from trees,bushes,wires and buildings.It consists of a 1 1/2inch steel pipe with about 9 feet above ground and bout 2 feet below ground in a PVC sleeve,so it can be easily removed.Similar to how lots of people instal a clothes drying rack.At the top of the pole is a "Tee" through wlich runs a 7 foot pipe (horizontal to the ground)I suspend my feeders from that pipe ,using wire type shower curtain hangers,secured in blace with tape,and left open to hang the feeders on.All fine and dandy,but what about our "Tree Rats"?
They would have no trouble climbing the pole except for the guard. It is similar to pg 31.I made it from a 30 inch long section of vent duct,9 inches in diameter held up by a cap of sheet metal.Also, this guard starts about 30 inches above the ground,extends up about 30 inches ,then there is pipe for about 30 inches to the top and the hanging bar.Across the top, I have a 7 or 8 foot branch taped horizontally for birds to land or perch on and that helps them from being picked off by accipiters.The squirrels accepted defeat and now feed on the ground with the doves; everybody's happy.I have never had a squirrel on the feeders since.The only drawbcck is the height of the hooks,but I keep a bench nearby for that.I know that if I were to lower the bar a couple of feet ,the war would start all over again.In other words,"If it ain't broke,don't fix it."If this is confusing e-mail me .
What a great book,if you feed birds you'll love it.If you know someone who does,I it would make a super gift.
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