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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsBird Feeder Shenanigans, Groundhog Style
My partner and I have put out bird feeders for several years now, so the birds will have something to eat when it is cold out. My partner insisted that we put it out this month, though we usually don't do so until late October or November. They hang on an awning outside our kitchen window, so we can see all the beautiful birds easily. Our favorites are the downy woodpeckers. Just charming!
Now, we've always had an issue with squirrels getting at them. But we have a new visitor: a groundhog. Now, this groundhog is HUGE. It has been fattening up for the winter. It looks like it can barely move it is so fat. But that danged thing climbs up on the kitchen windowsill and tries to get at those feeders! It really can't, because it can't reach it, but seriously it is a thing to behold it trying to get at that food. It is persistent; the only way we can get it down is to hiss at it. We must look like fools, standing in our kitchen and hissing at a massive groundhog trying in vain to eat birdseed.
CottonBear
(21,613 posts)😀
The Genealogist
(4,726 posts)There is an old storage building in the yard, and they have burrowed under it for a home. I'm afraid someday I'm going to wake up and the building is going to be sunk into the ground. LOL
CottonBear
(21,613 posts)The Genealogist
(4,726 posts)It is adorable, of course.
CottonBear
(21,613 posts)The Genealogist
(4,726 posts)He looks like a Mr Tuggles!
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)seed houses. They don't just take the food, they take the feeders.
I can't imagine a groundhog can climb up to a window sill. We used to have one that would climb up our pear tree and shake the pears down for the deer. The deer would leave half the core and the groundhog would come down and finish them off. They can weigh 40-50#.
You don't want get near them when they are on the ground. They don't retreat.
The Genealogist
(4,726 posts)And possums, skunks, etc. But never seen them at the feeder. In fact, I've seen a possum going into the groundhog burrow. The groundhogs I see seem to scare easily. Just hiss at them and they are off. In fact, they are rarely more than 6 feet from their burrow.