Some of you may remember that this summer I was visited by a thief, a hummingbird nectar thief to be exact. This went on all summer. I either had to take it in every night, or just make more nectar every day--every single day or disappoint the hummers. If I got home a bit late or had something going on and I didn't get it in--it was drained dry. Some weeks I remembered to take it in every day for a week and I'd think that maybe if I left it out he wouldn't come, but I was always wrong. What could it be, I wondered, bats, possums, raccoons? After I found one feeder on the ground with it's top unscrewed I pretty much figured it had to be a raccoon.
I haven't seen a hummingbird for 5 days now so I think they have embarked on their journey to warmer climes. Still I have put the feeder out every day just in case a lonely hummingbird passing through may stop to refuel.
Tonight I was bound and determined to catch the thief in the act if only to see exactly how he does it. So I got a couple pillows, cracked a space in the vertical blinds overlooking my deck and waited. I pretty much had figured out that the culprit visited around 7:30 every night.
7:32 on the dot, he came. Yup, raccoon alright and he was a pretty gutsy little dude too. He reached up and tilted the feeder. Our eyes met and I swear he gave me the stink eye, since I was ruining his party. I opened the sliding glass door and he ran, but only after he gave me one last very dirty look.
Sorry I have no photos since my camera is not that high tech and all I got was a very blurry furry!
Mystery solved and since Hummingbird season is over, he will have to get his kool-aid somewhere else.
Anyone else have raccoon raiders?
Wonder if you scared him away for good?
ReplyDeleteProbably not Christine but since today is Oct. 1 and I haven't seen a hummingbird for a week, I'm done with the feeder till next May. Maybe by then he will have moved on to greener pastures.
ReplyDeleteGlad you figured it out even though you were fairly sure it was a raccoon.
ReplyDeleteI am laughing my head off! I can just see you Crystal, spying away, waiting for Mr. Raccoon! LOL! I love all animals, but those guys can do some real damage, especially if they get into your house! One got into our garage this summer! Little bugger! LOL! Lucky, not too much damage, but enough! Take Care, Hugs ;o)
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