Posted by Curious on June 15, 2005

Q:

I live in New Hampshire, semi-rural, and we started putting out bird houses and bird food (in a feeder on a pole). We've attracted a variety of birds. One morning the pole was knocked over, but it had been windy and wasn't in the ground too well, so we attributed it to the weather and poor installation on our part.

We got a new pole, did a better job installing it, and added a suet feed and also woodpecker food in separate baskets. It was only up a few days before it was all knocked down again - this time there was no severe weather, and to top it off, the woodpecker food cage (which was hanging off the pole) is completely missing, and the bird food was completely eaten, although the suet remained.

Is woodpecker food a particular favorite of some animal (besides woodpeckers), that can knock a pole over and cart off the food (which probably weighed a half pound or a pound in its cage). Raccoons might have knocked it over, but I don't know that they could make off with the cage of woodpecker food. A bear perhaps?

A: I could easily believe that a bear has found your feeding station. Bears regularly raid bird feeders for some extra tasty food. I'm a bit unsure, however, why it wouldn't have eaten the suet though - bears love fat. Raccoons certainly are able climbers that also like to eat bird food and can often knock down a feeder and get into places that seems precarious so you're right to suspect them too.

I do have a suggestion that may clear up your mystery. Spread some dirt at the base of your pole and before dark, wet the dirt down well so it's muddy. Be sure you have at least some food on the pole to attract your nightly raider. In the morning you should be able to see tracks in the mud and that should give you your answer. Good luck and thanks for asking.

John Wiessinger ( June 15, 2005)