When bear Jack Gebhardt put a bird feeder little did he realize that he had simultaneously also set up a cat attracter and a squirrel magnet.

I've recently learned once again that when one puts up a bird feeder, one has simultaneously erected a cat attracter. And a squirrel magnet. And a mini-jungle struggle of the fittest.

It started when the local feed store had a deal on sunflower seeds. I bought a bag so big I needed a wheelbarrow to cart it to my car.

I'd read somewhere that sunflower seeds are the basic all-round bird food that would attract the most birds most of the year.

My plan was simple: plant a post in the ground with a board onto which I could easily spread the seeds. It would be located just outside the kitchen window, by the tree.

I envisioned the wife and me peaceably sitting at our little table during leisurely breakfasts, watching the grateful birdies, may be even hearing them tweet.....

It took me only a couple of hours to prepare the post. I then poured out my first panfuls of black sees and waited.

I was a bit disappointed when the birds didn't immediately flock in. in fact, it was a day or two before I saw the first little sparrow come, take a seed and quickly fly away. He'll probably go tell his buddies, I figured.

Apparently instead of telling his buddies, he told the squirrels. The next time I saw any action it was a fat little squirrel sitting smack in the middle of the tray , happily munching black seeds.

Mmm, I thought, I could have / should have put up one of those little metal collars around the post to keep the little critters away.

But the then I saw the squirrel jump from the feeder onto the adjoining chokecherry bush and then up into the tree. I wasn't sure a collar have done much good. Oh well, may by it'll be a bird and squirrel feeder.