Squirrel

I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with grey squirrels (it stems from and embarrassing trip to A&E after being bitten by one).  They visit the garden from time to time and pretty much decimate the bird feeders.  I watched one last week throw an empty bird feeder off it's hook and across the garden in what looked like a fit of pique because it was empty.  When they were infrequent visitors they were nice to see.  When they start clearing out full bird feeders on a daily basis and chewing through them they become an annoyance.

I've taken to adding chilli powder to the nuts and sunflower hearts that we put out for the birds.  Squirrels hate it but it has no effect on the birds themselves, so the squirrels tend to move on to other parts of the garden.

They may not be my favourite animal, but you have to admire their cleverness and pure gymnastic ability.