Furry foes

IT'S the ultimate battle of wits. The best that human ingenuity can devise against the agility, resourcefulness and determination of a furry, four-footed little opponent. As summer merges into autumn the grey squirrels are on the go again. And while their antics are often a delight, the damage they can do isn't.

Matthew Light of Harlow Carr Gardens in Harrogate knows all about that. For years, the gardens have been suffering from the depredations of the little pests.

They attack bird boxes to get at the young of nesting birds, strip bark from young trees and dig up newly-planted bulbs. And at this time of year, their wits sharpened by hunger as their preciously-hoarded store of last year's acorns runs out, they turn their attentions to bird food.

That's a problem if, like Harlow Carr Gardens, you've got a large bird-feeding station which is a popular attraction. Because stopping the squirrels isn't easy.

Squirrels can run, climb, jump and wriggle. They can eat hanging upside down, have long claws, vicious teeth and plenty of cunning. And whatever you do to try to stop them eating food intended for the birds, they seem to be able to find a way around it. It's not for nothing they were featured in the Carling Black Label advert.

"They are very impressive and very clever," admits Matthew, grudgingly. "No matter what type of defences you try to put up, they seem to get around it.

"They can bite through wire, they can nibble through wood - and they can cause a lot of damage.

"Most people do have a certain amount of respect for them because of how ingenious they are. There are some people that get a lot of pleasure from watching them. I probably would too if it wasn't for the fact I know how much damage they can cause!"

For years, the squirrels have been causing havoc at the Gardens - and the problems have been getting steadily worse.

"We don't control them, so the population has grown quite dramatically," Matthew admits. And at this time of year, as the hungry squirrels wait for this year's crop of acorns to ripen, they are busier than ever - constantly on the lookout for food.

This time, though, Matthew and his colleagues at the Gardens are ready for them.

They have set up a 'trial' of squirrel-proof bird-feeders - more than 20 models, supplied by a range of manufacturers.

They come in all shapes and sizes. Some attempt to stop the squirrels abseiling down from above by the use of domed plexiglass 'baffles', some stop them jumping in sideways, some are surrounded by heavy wire mesh meant to resist their teeth. Some automatically shut a door over the food if anything heavier than a blackbird lands on the perch. But best of all, king of the squirrel counter-measures so far, is the Flipper. "It has a circular perch, and a little electric motor," says Matthew. "If a squirrel attempts to get on it, it rotates faster and faster and faster until it falls off!"

The squirrels don't give up easily. Already, they have chewed through some of the mesh, learnt how to prise the tops off some of the otherwise impregnable feeders, and are resigned to waiting underneath others for any clumsy bird to drop peanuts.

The Flipper though has them beat - so far at least. "It's the best we've got!" Matthew says proudly.

The trial, which has just begun, was initially intended to last for 12 months - though it may be extended.

Staff at the Gardens will continue over the next year or so to monitor the performance of each of the squirrel-proof feeders - and then they intend to share the benefits of their experience with other gardeners. A report is to be written for the Royal Horticultural Society's Garden magazine, which could spell tough times ahead for the little four-footed nuisances.

The squirrels have had the last laugh, however, for this year at least.

Staff have for a number of years been conducting a strawberry trial - and this was supposed to be the last year.

But the squirrels, realising that the bird tables which looked so promising were unrewarding, have turned their attentions to the strawberry beds instead - using the netting intended to protect them as a tasty appetiser.

The bird feeder trial is going well - but the strawberry trial has been abandoned.

Updated: 08:48 Saturday, September 15, 2001