It’s been installed a couple of weeks now, but does Twirl-A-Squirrel actually work?
You have to hand it to those guys, they don’t lack spirit. The endurance record got longer and longer until we reached the limits of the device.
After three cycles (20 seconds of spin and 5 seconds off) it stops. If a squirrel is still on board at that point it has free rein.
Perhaps by then they’ve earned their feast.
Indeed, should our furry friend choose that moment to fall, he looks for all the world as though he’s just done a raid on the gin cupboard. Even if it takes him only seconds to recover and he’s straight back up for another twirl.
Misappropriated bird food must be seriously worth it.
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They haven’t, yet, found a way to break it.
But they can render Twirl-A-Squirrel a tad confused.
The problem arises if a squirrel lands on a feeder that is still turning. The settings, including the weight calibration, are disturbed.
Thus, I must report, we have on occasion twirled a woodpecker. And even a blue tit. Thankfully both just flew off and later returned.
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So, what’s the verdict?
The manufacturer claims that the squirrels will eventually tire of the performance and look for easier pickings elsewhere.
Certainly they are around less frequently than they were. The birds are getting a much larger share.
For the last couple of days, thinking about this post, I’ve been looking out for a squirrel for a new photo. And haven’t seen one.
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They may yet be back.
Perhaps they are just hiding from the rain.
But it has been amusing. Very amusing indeed.
I’ve been following ‘the spin’ with interest (and thanks to your text and images great amusement lol).
It seems indeed hopeful. Think I’ll begin to scout about for one to purchase. If only for the entertainment
value I think it’d be worth it! (maybe I do need to get to get out more, but still….)
Thanks for the ongoing updates!
Good luck.. I hope it works for you too!
Hi Jessica,
Well, it’s probably just like a day at Disney World for the squirrels ….. you should charge them an admission fee !!!! We have got a few squirrels in our garden but, they just seem to be happy, picking up all of the food on the ground that the birds have dropped from the bird feeders.
I am sure that there have been some hilarious moments on ‘Twirl a Squirrel’ ….. they probably look forward to their time in your garden !!!! XXXX
We should do a swap Jackie, I’d be happy to have well behaved squirrels like yours..
I can picture them tucked away somewhere at a drawing board, planning their next strategic move! I do hope they’ve got something up their little squirrel sleeves just to keep us all amused! Julie x
I can almost guarantee it Julie!
I agree with Julie. I bet they are planning their next method of attack! Does the mechanism stop if you twirl it in the opposite direction? If so, maybe that is their plan!!!
I think the mechanism only twirls one way.. they have tried to brace themselves against the bird table to stop it, but it only provides them a temporary reprieve!
Great action shots I’m surprised they feel like getting any food after all that twirling! I’m glad you appear to be on the winning side again!
Sarah x
Somehow they manage it! We now need more twirlers to protect the other bird feeders too… it could truly be Disneyworld here soon!
It does seem as though this works. I didn’t think it would ever defeat a squirrel. I wonder if your neighbours are reporting a recent influx of hungry, giddy squirrels.
It would be worth asking the question wouldn’t it??!
Oh poor confused woodpecker ! Little dizzy squirrels must be quite a sight !
The woodpecker did get a shock, there was a bit of indignant chirping… but thankfully he has returned. And I am now a bit quicker at resetting the twirler.
Love the idea of dizzy squirrels :-)! We only have red ones here and they leave the bird feeders alone.
Thought I’d drop by your blog and am really enjoying reading it 🙂 Have arrived via Snippets from Labartere & Going Gently.
Hello Antoinette and welcome to rusty duck!
Our grey squirrels are a real pain, although I do have to laugh at their antics. But I’d trade them for the more reserved red ones any day!
I was amused at the image of a dizzy squirrel! Interesting that they are quick to recover and actually go back for more, they are obviously quite adventurous and tenacious. All is quiet on the squirrel front here too, I guess they have other things to occupy them at this time of year. I do wonder if your squirrels are down in your woodland drawing up battle plans, though:)
Ooooh, and there was me thinking I might just have thwarted them… !!
Squirrels with vertigo – whatever next? They’ll be wearing ‘seasick’ bands and crash helmets soon.
They always have the option to eat next door’s nuts!!
Oh nooooo….the poor woodpecker and blue tit!!!
I felt really dizzy looking at that squirrel! xxxx
Fear not, they were not harmed, just miffed!
It is good the birds are getting their fare share of feed, at least for now.
And long may it continue..
Your posts just wouldn’t be the same without the squirrels! Or the pheasants. And to think I once suggested you eat Ptolemy. (Off to hang my head in shame.)
He has tried the patience on more than one occasion but no, he won’t go in the pot!
Your squirrels remind me of the game we used to play holding a broom up in the air and twirling and twirling round it before trying to run in a straight line, which was impossible and resulted in people running into trees and falling into flower beds. Oh the joys of a misspent youth.
I must have missed that one, but a similar effect could be obtained by twirling the ropes of a swing around each other until it resembled a coiled spring, sitting on it and letting go.
The description of the ‘cycles’ crack me up Jessica. I have a mental image of your squirrels in a secret meeting place plotting how to overthrow the twirler :o)
You really aught to get in touch with the manufacturer and become their British agent!
Rose H
x
I wonder if that would get me free twirlers. I’ve plenty more feeders to kit up yet. Although I get dizzy enough watching just one squirrel spinning..
I may very well invest in one of these as it appears to work. Nothing else I’ve tried has, and I’m fed up with the squirrels destroying my feeders. I’m sure the birds won’t mind a twirl or two in the interest of gaining more food 😉 .
I’d be interested to hear how you get on. The important thing is to put it on a feeder that is nowhere near the bird table pole or other structure. The squirrel must have to climb fully on to the feeder for it to work. The twirler uses the squirrel’s weight as a trigger.