West Coast Birder

A Townsend's chipmunk visited my backyard today. I don't think I've seen them visit before. Also, Steller's jays have been coming to the feeders regularly. I need to add more cayenne pepper to the seeds in the tray feeder, as the squirrels are eating most of the seeds now.

#birding #backyardbirding #birdsseenin2022 #birdphotography

Nov 12, 2022 at 3:35amWeb
Show threadPeter GleickNov 12, 2022
@WestCoastBirder wait, does cayenne deter squirrels?
Show threadWest Coast BirderNov 12, 2022
@petergleick Yes, apparently the olfactory systems of mammals are orders of magnitude more sensitive to capsaicin than those of birds. So, a generous mixture of cayenne pepper with bird seed will deter squirrels without affecting birds.