Flying Squirrels Eating Peanuts and Sunflower Seeds at the Squirrel Feeder in the Woods

Flying Squirrel Watching a Raccoon Feed at the Squirrel Feeder in the Woods

Feeding Flying Squirrels Peanuts at the Squirrel Feeder in the Woods

Just trying to earn an acorn or two plying his trade

I probably take too many pictures of her. But I love her so much I can't help it. lol

Nikon Coolpix B500 from about 35' away.

After three months of trying and failing, the squirrels finally managed to break into Chippy’s Seed Café, a caged feeder designed to give chipmunks a fair chance at breakfast.

For weeks it sat safely on a patio chair… until today.

A determined squirrel pulled and tugged until the café slid to the very edge. One last cling, one last wobble and both squirrel and café toppled off the chair.

The squirrel was totally fine.

The café… not so much.

It hit the ground sideways, bounced, rolled toward the camera, and exploded into a glorious sunflower‑seed avalanche. Within seconds, multiple squirrels rushed in and turned the spill into an all‑you‑can‑eat buffet.

And then Mellie appeared.

She climbed onto the patio chair where her café used to be, looked down at the wreckage, and stared with the most disappointed, betrayed chipmunk face you’ll ever see.

The squirrels feasted.

Mellie fumed.

This is the full story of the day Chippy’s Seed Café finally fell.

Attributions:

Awww 1 by silversatyr -- https://freesound.org/s/333265/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Running Cartoon Footseps.mp3 by MilliiStewart15 -- https://freesound.org/s/566929/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Heat index of 104°, so I bought the squirrels a mister. I’d say it’s a hit.

Mama Ratsquirrel sploots in a shady, cooler spot in the yard today. Temps are expected to be over 100-degrees. I put out water as well as feed for her and her fellow chonkers.

tldr; the squirrels keep eating the bird food but they have good food now. and the mama squirrel’s kit is still living with her.

I’m a squirrel convert and I’m working with the local wildlife center to start releasing rehabbed animals on my property. (I live next to protected forest)

Through the process of me caring for the local wildlife, one specific squirrel kit have made themselves apparent. They insist on eating peanuts even though it’s not good for them. Basically, I give them the fruit my toddler doesn’t eat and carrots everyday, and I have some feeders out but they are being greedy.

I’m concerned they are too invested in the bird food/peanuts and I want to help all the animals. any suggestions?

the wildfire smoke from Canada made them upset the last few days so I haven’t seen the kids from the kit (they’re almost ready to leave) but the mom comes down and grabs the food and goes back to them. isn’t this a long time for a kit to stay with mom? they seem full grown— I don’t want them to get so used to my feedings that they don’t leave the nest.

thanks everyone! I just want to do right by these critters.

and I’ve named the mom Brave Cutie bc she’s not afraid of me.

^{Ok, we have raccoons and possums, should hole size for the nest box be 2.75" or 3". thanks in advance.}

^{yes Ai could answer, however I prefer actual experience.}

I filmed my little red-bellied squirrel neighbor from downstairs. And i’m pretty sure the big tree next to my apartment is where he lives, and my building, balcony, and railings are just part of his daily playground.

It’s funny to think that what feels like my home to me might just be one stop on his route.

Where do the squirrels near you usually live? Trees, rooftops, or somewhere completely unexpected?

I think he jumps from a tree to my window. Squirrels can be so persistent when they find a good source of food! 🤣

Chantal de Rouge is true royalty around here. Along with Abimbola Kings, she was one of the very first squirrels to discover our Balcony Café. In fact, it was the first flash of her vibrant red tail outside the balcony door that inspired the whole concept of the café in the first place (but I’ll save that origin story for another post!).

Unlike the more reserved Abimbola, Chantal is a lady of many words. She is incredibly communicative and loves to chuck and chatter at us all day long - sometimes with a purpose, but mostly just to make sure she's the center of attention. Those signature crossed ears of hers stole our hearts in a split second - they genuinely look like her fur is styled into a chic, tiny French bun.

When it comes to menu preferences, she’s a walnut critic through and through (her absolute favorite), though she won't turn down a premium mix of sunflower and pumpkin seeds if the service is fast enough.

She usually acts like a demanding French mademoiselle, but just this once, she decided to bless us with the ultimate polite greeting. You can actually see her cute paw hello, that absolutely melted us one day: https://youtube.com/shorts/Jtlv2Dydu8s

Does anyone else have a squirrel that talks this much, or do we have a feathered bird in a squirrel costume? 😊