I had such success with my squirrel proof feeders (Who Won The Squirrels vs Feeder Contest?) that when I needed to replace my peanut feeder, I searched again for a squirrel proof version. I found two options that seemed like they would work and ended up ordering them both!
The first was the The Nuttery Classic X-large Peanut/Sunflower Seed Feeder (NT066). It seems to have a heavy duty outside cage to keep squirrels from chewing through the mesh. One complaint that I saw in the reviews was that its hard to fill. Using a handy seed funnel scoop I didn’t really have a problem.
I really liked that if the squirrels were able to get the top off, there’s a strong grate preventing them from emptying the feeder! A nice touch and definite plus.
The second one was an Audubon Squirrel-Resistant Caged Screen Feeder (Model NACAGE). Again, people’s biggest complaint was filling it.
I think since I already was used to the disc method of locking down the top from my Duncraft Eco songbird house that the House Wrens love, lifting the lid isn’t a problem. Very effective against a squirrel getting it open. But, I do think it would have been nice if the wire loop would tilt out of the way when the top is up. It does get in the way of filling the feeder, but again using the funnel scoop or my Perky Pet Seed scoop, I was able to fill it ok.
Now I waited for the birds! Why did I want a peanut feeder so badly? For the nuthatches of course! Especially the Red-breasted Nuthatch. Apparently it’s an irruptive year for them and I have a couple that have been visiting my backyard with the White Breasted Nuthatch for a few weeks now.
They are the cutest, friendliest bird around.
Definitely one of my favorites, as you can tell by my morning tea mug that I bought at my local Wild Bird Unlimited store. Of course this time of year my go to tea is Pumpkin Spice from Republic of Tea, and with water heated up in my electric Breville variable temperature kettle.
I would point out that I wouldn’t need any of these squirrel proof feeders if I had just placed my Squirrel Stopper Feeder Pole the required distance from a tree (check out these previous posts for more on the pole system and other feeders: This Birthday Was For The Birds, The Feeders Are Ready for Winter). But then I couldn’t see the feeder as well from the kitchen window. I would say though, I have never seen squirrels climb up the pole so I would still whole-heartedly recommend it!
FYI, after my local feed store closed, I was having trouble finding shelled peanuts for my feeders so I ended up ordering them from Amazon. The birds couldn’t tell the difference and were happy for the treats.
So happy to finally not have the squirrels be a problem, now if I could say the same for the house sparrows and house finches.