Chalk it up in the category of “things you had no idea existed”… but it does! Saturday, January 21 is National Squirrel Appreciation Day! (Seriously, it’s true! Check out this post over at the National Wildlife Federation.)
So, for just one day, stop focusing on the paths of destruction squirrels leave in their wake and give up on trying to squirrel-proof your feeders. Instead, throw them some peanuts or dried corn… heck, you can even build a simple squirrel feeder if you’re feeling big-hearted.
When it’s all over, you can go back to squirrel-busting with a vengeance. In the meantime, though, take a moment or two to admire these creatures. Then drop by the comments and share your favorite squirrel story!
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Our squirrels seem to be entirely of the opinion that EVERY day is squirrel appreciation day
I love watching and feeding the squirrels every bit as much as I do feeding the birds. Why should birders consider them the enemy? They are one of God’s creatures too. Anyhow, the best way to keep squirrels off your bird feeder is to give them a feeder of there own,…which is exactly what I have done.
One squirrel became so familiar with me that it would follow me around the yard as I filled the feeders, waiting for a hand out. One time when I was lounging in a lawn chair with my eyes closed, he reached up and pawed at my legs, as if to say,…”hey wake up and come feed me!”. We named him Oliver, for being such a begger.
I enjoy the squirrels, they are very entertaining, smart and funny. They eat right along with the birds in the back yard. Messy little critters but enjoyable. I have taken lots of pictures of their antics and got a lot of laughs from facebook friends
I have just counted 24 squirrels munching away on my bird seed!! I think that celebrates Squirrel appreciation day!!!
I love to see squirrels and enjoy watching their antics! They can be so funny and they’re also cute! I even created a set on my Flickr photostream of photos that I’ve taken of them: http://www.flickr.com/photos/60816258@N07/sets/72157626590713331/
Most people only think of the destruction that they cause, so it’s nice that there is a day set aside to appreciate them! =)
I have been feeding the squirrels here at our country home for over27 years. I give them ears of corn and all the birdseed they can get from the birds. I started out just feeding the birds, but quickly realized I enjoyed watching the squirrels just as much. I have even gotten them to eat out of my hand at times over the years. It is fun to watch their antics as they chase and play with one another up and down and around the trees. I have even put out stuffing from old patio furniture to add to their nests so their babies born in Feb. can be warm.
It is a nature lovers paradise here and all the critters share the food I put out, including oppossums and raccoons .
Every day is “Squirrel Appreciation Day” for us. They eagerly come running up to the back door every time they see us. If we’re not around for awhile, they peer in the windows looking for us. They get peanuts in the winter and corn in the summer when I can get to their picnic bench feeder. I love watching them. Their personalities are different just as as people’s are. They, like someone else mentioned, follow us around the yard. My favorite time is in the summer when I’m sitting in the two-seat swing and they hop up and sit right beside me. Of course, the incentive is the peanuts I have next to me. Temptation calls and they can’t resist.
A squirrel just ate my dog.
My husband and I fought the squirrels all last year trying to keep them off our bird feeders. We’d go running outside waving our arms and yelling until they scurried off. We told each other that this would train them to stay off the feeders. In actuality, after a year of fighting the inevitable, our squirrels have finally gotten ‘us’ trained. We now play games of catch with our squirrels. We throw peanuts and they catch. Yep, they’ve got us trained just the way they want us. At least the birds can eat in peace now, as the squirrels are way too busy catching all the peanuts we throw. If you can’t beat ‘em, enjoy them!!!
the little buggers have ruined practically every feeder I own, squirrel baffler didnt keep them off the feeders they stole the seeded pine cones I made as soon as I put them out.I get fustrated but hubby says they have to eat too, but they eat it all and leave nothing for the birds.christmas gift was 1 squirrel proof feeder watching to see if it really works
the little buggers have ruined practically every feeder I own, squirrel baffler didnt keep them off the feeders they stole the seeded pine cones I made as soon as I put them out.I get fustrated but hubby says they have to eat too, but they eat it all and leave nothing for the birds a.christmas gift was 1 squirrel proof feeder watching to see if it really works
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