Chipmunk & Squirrel Antics

I've written before about my squirrel-proof bird feeder and a chipmunk I caught stealing seed. Well today I was able to watch both of them in the act and it was entertaining to say the least. I really wish I could have caught it on video.

I heard some chattering and looked out the window to see a chipmunk on the tray of the bird feeder, stuffing his cheeks with seed. Below him, on the patio, were a few more of his friends waiting their turn, as well as a frustrated squirrel who wanted in on the action. I watched the squirrel run up the shepherd's hood and jump over to the feeder. Well, the tray gave way, and both the squirrel and chipmunk went into a free-fall and the other chipmunks scurried for cover. The chipmunk then ran back, climbed the lilac bush, jumped over to the feeder, and started stuffing his cheeks again. Not to be undone, the squirrel was thinking "aha, the secret is to climb the lilac bush". So up the bush he went. He jumped over and again, both he and the chipmunk went hurling to the ground.

That little chipmunk wouldn't give up that easily though. For some reason he decided to climb the shepherd's hook all the way to the top of the feeder. He sat on top, and looked down at the seed tray and tried to jump down. But alas, the force of him falling made the seed tray give way and he landed on the ground. The squirrel, still copying the chipmunk, then climbed the shepherd's hook too. Sat on top of the feeder, and tried to shimmy his way down, but he lost his grip and ended up on the ground.

The squirrel was still dusting himself off when the chipmunk scurried past him and went back up to the seed tray and started stuffing seed in his cheeks. By this time the squirrel must have figured out he wasn't going to get any seed, so he wasn't going to let the chipmunk get any either. So he climbed the shepherd's hook part way, reached over, and shook the seed tray until the chipmunk fell off. It was absolutely hilarious watching those two, and birds were perched all around in the trees getting some amusement out of their antics as well. The chipmunk finally gave up and went away. I don't know if it was because he was out of room and had to go empty his cheeks or if he knew the squirrel was going to keep interferring and sending him hurtling through the air like an acrobat.