We realized all was not well with the finch and quail feeders when we arrived at our Reno house around 12:19 am this morning but we decided to wait till we got up in the morning to investigate and went to bed. It sure looks like a bear decided to take in all the thistle seed in our two finch feeders. One was pretty mauled and has multiple teeth marks. We saw bear prints in the mud one wet spring a few years ago so we guessed a bear again had come visiting …after investigating bears and bird feeders more on-line, we are sure of it!
This youtube video looks like what probably happened at our feeders – only our walls got in the way!
Another youtube Black Bear Video – wire mesh might keep squirrels away but the bear’s tongue can get through it!! …And a photo series here. More here.
Bears and Bird Feeder Damage –
in Michigan
in Alaska
in New York
And from Reno, NV, here are some of our pictures:
The Before Picture
The After Picture
Both poles are in this picture. Click on the picture to get a bigger image.
Bent Single Hook Pole
The Bent Double Hook Pole
The Chewed Up Feeder (Most of the bites are along the bottom quarter of the clear plastic.)
The Chewed Up Feeder
Munch Holes 1
Munch Holes 2
So, given the tooth holes in our feeder, the actions of the bear in the first youtube video fit our situation perfectly – yank, bite, bite! Yank, bite, bite, yummy thistle seed…… me want more, be back soon!
MyGrandmaSue 