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The first frost of the season occurred this past Monday morning and was seen mostly in the low lying areas of the backyard. Perhaps the colder weather explains Sunday's strange sighting when three grey squirrels were spotted inside a feeder at the same time. I don't think I've ever seen the squirrels eat together cooperatively like that before. A fourth tried to join the bunch, but the other three made him leave.  Now, to be sure, the feeder that the squirrels were seen in is not a squirrel feeder specifically. It is intended as a bird feeder, but is one of the few that are left without a baffle or other protection from squirrels. It's a sort of "Blackmail Feeder" so to speak. I've found that when some food is kept in this feeder the squirrels generally leave the other feeders alone allowing me to see the birds that I want to see. So, I throw a bit of sunflower seed in my blackmail feeder, or any appropriate leftovers that I might have, and the backyard is a more peaceful and enjoyable place for me as well as for my feathered and furry little backyard friends. 
Backyard tip of the week: Are you having trouble with a particular pesky squirrel in your yard? Maybe you can try your own "Blackmail Feeder" as a way to re-direct the critter as needed. This also works if you have fifteen squirrels in your yard. Try setting up all of your feeders except for one with a baffle or other means of protection. The dominant squirrels will soon drive away the more submissive ones who will leave for easier feeding grounds, allowing your favorite songbirds to eat in peace. You're sure to love it!
Backyard sightings for last week: Including northern cardinals, mourning doves and catbirds. Chipping sparrows, white-crowned sparrows, Carolina wrens, house wrens, eastern goldfinches, house finches. Red-bellied and downy woodpeckers, white-breasted nuthatches, the tufted titmice, black-capped chickadees, blue-jays, American crows, a red squirrel and some grey squirrels, a couple of different skunks, a few deer, some chipmunks, some bunnies, still some butterflies and bats, too. 
Cool sighting of the week: About forty turkey vultures were spotted flying high in the sky while I was driving down the road this past Wednesday. The vultures were flying in a funnel formation at varying heights, but all together and constantly moving. I guessed that they were benefitting from a thermal updraft as I watched them move in harmony with each other. Either way, catching a glimpse of so many vultures in the shape of a tornado this week was very cool!
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