Having spent years trying to keep squirrels away from my bird feeders, including buying squirrel proof feeders (No such thing), I decided to embrace the cheeky mammals.
I had observed them leaping from a tree branch onto my hide and thought this would make a good photo. I climbed a ladder and put some insect suet feed on the branch to entice the squirrel.
Soon after getting in position to bag a winning photo, what took the bait? A Nuthatch. Followed by Great tits, blue tits and blackbirds !!!
After days of climbing the ladder and topping up the bait I eventually had a squirrel visit. He sat there, ate the suet – and went back along the branch.
When I replaced the bait, I also put a piece of apple on the hide roof – a small leap away. YES it worked. The squirrel ate the suet and then jumped over for the apple.
After a few days and many attempts, I eventually got my picture.
Do you think it was worth it?