-
Guests on ABC News “This Week” for Sunday, June 6, 2010
On Sunday, National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen gives the latest on the growing environmental catastrophe along the Gulf of Mexico, whether the clean-up operation is too little, too late, and if the government’s worst case scenario is becoming a reality.
Then, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn (R-TX) EXCLUSIVELY speak with “This Week” anchor Jake Tapper about how the U.S. should move forward after Israel’s controversial raid on a flotilla attempting to break the blockade of Gaza. The two also weigh in on the BP oil spill, the momentum it could possibly provide for Senator Kerry’s energy and climate bill, and whether Senator Cornyn will still support a “drill baby drill” approach as the spill threatens his home state of Texas.
And on the round table: ABC News’ George Will, Markos Moulitsas, founder of the Daily Kos, Arianna Huffington of the Huffington Post and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Liz Cheney of Keep America Safe discuss the political problems stemming from the oil spill, how Israel’s deadly flotilla raid will affect the Middle East peace process, and whether an almost perfect game should change American’s favorite pastime.
Ian Cameron is the executive producer of This Week. The program airs Sundays on the ABC Television Network (check local listings).
-
How Does Super Squirrel Get Past the Squirrel Baffle?
There must be a group of hybrid grey squirrels in the yard. Super athletes who jump higher and stretch farther. For the longest time it seems there’s been no hanky-panky going on with the front bird feeder, but lately it’s really been out of hand! The shepherd’s hook, complete with squirrel baffle has been successful at keeping squirrels from the feeder…until now.After finding the feeder broken on the ground one morning, I salvaged the bottom bowl and crafted a new weather guard by bending an old metal one to fit the space between pole and arm of the stand . Tightening the hardware, and moving the squirrel baffle upwards, surely would fix this problem? Nope. The next day while sitting outside, the sound of clanking metal started grating on my nerves. Time to revisit the feeder!
Removing the weather guard, I placed the feeder at the very top of the hook’s arm. Using 2 small bungee cords to secure the hanger worked great until the rainy season started in Georgia. Back to the drawing board. Now returning the bent weather guard, I raised the feeder, which only allowed a small space for birds’ entry. The squirrel baffle was again moved up as far as it would go, touching the bottom of the feeder. So far, so good! It looks a little strange, but the birds don’t seem to mind. The squirrels around here must have gotten hold of steroids or something because their ability to get into feeders has been absolutely uncanny!
-
A Little Overboard with Squirrel Baffles?
When feeding wild birds, squirrels sure can be a nuisance! They seem to get into every feeder possible, and once they do gain access, they eat everything in site. Little pigs! Squirrel baffles are very effective at deterring squirrels from feeders, until they figure out how to get past them! There’s always one in the crowd, super-squirrel who can jump higher, or reach farther.Whether pole mounted or hanging, placement is important. You must remember the horizontal launching point. This is where squirrels will jump from to get at your feeder.
Raccoons can also wreak havoc on bird feeders and houses. A friend recently told me the sad story of a chickadee nest raid by his new tenant, Rocky. Prompted by this incident, they ordered not one-but four large post-mount squirrel baffles to protect the birdhouses. A few days later, they ordered four more! What does one do with all those baffles?
See the pics…just in case you don’t believe me!
Here’s the first 3: (That’s a leaf mister attached to the back post)
and here’s the fourth:
Birding Tips, Information & News
