@artscaping, and all....Wow! I love this bird. They are almost embarrassing me, Chris. So dear...I don't have pilated woodys, but have lots of downy and red-breasted, I think. 2 different kinds, several pairs, and some young ones.

I've started a fight among the squirrel family. I must have 5-6 squirrels who have fun on my patio and have always won our constant battle. Last week, the night before surgery, I rearranged the feeders after cleaning and filling. I added a couple of baffels, that work! Put peanuts in a couple of wire tube feeders where the squirrels can get to them. all the feeders I put in higher, lower, or farther down the limbs from the trunk, so they can't reach. I had to use a ladder to do this and be very careful, but did it and it worked.

One clever stubborn male learned to jump up from a large planter and land on the tray, missed once, but was ok. I've solved that now and he can't get to anything except the 2 peanut tubes and 2 large cages for woodpecker seed or suet. Now, he's an angry male! If another squirrel gets near a limb with the peanuts or cages, he attacks from afar, very intent on protecting his territory. The chases can be long and can end in a fight. One squirrel has several large lumps on his side, may have cancer or whatever. Another had a gash on her side. Both seem ok I suppose, but they are having a serious spat.

Everyone seems happy otherwise. Chic-a-dee numbers have grown, w/several little ones, not as many cardinal families for some reason, no blue-jay forever, haven't seen as many house finch either. I think since I got behind on cleaning and filling, they were going to other feeders, so I have to do a better job of keeping it all full.

I moved my 2 bird-baths into the sun so the new solar fountains will work. Love it. so do the birds. They seem to like the moving water.

Mosquitos? Gone! I have solar powered zapper that really worked well, and 2 zapper walkway lights I just put out. I also have one electric zapper downstairs in the kitchen and smile and giggle every time I hear it 'zzzzzzappppp'. several times in the evening, I have a smaller one upstairs in my BR with a nice blue light. Haven't had a bite since!

So, I think I may have won that battle. Still have standing water and always will. I can't help that. But, I now welcome those nasty biters to my patio for their final moments!!!!!

Rest well, my friends. Blessings to all. elizabeth

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