For several days now, a large gray squirrel has been sneaking up to the bird feeder tables. While I do sit in front of the window, the rain has forced me to move one of tables next to the wall on my far left. I can’t see it without pushing the chair back, which is hard to do on a very busy day engrossed in my day job.

It has made quite a dent in the food. Three times today, I chased it away, only to have it return within a couple of minutes. I own a large Havahart trap which I hesitated to move due to my annoying back problems. But desperate times call for desperate measures. I put it right by the feeder table. A chickadee flew in as I did so, thus reassuring me that the presence of this giant trap wouldn’t bother the birds.

My squirrel bait is stale walnuts smeared with peanut butter. It works well when blue jays aren’t around to steal it.

It didn’t take 10 minutes. Later it will be taken to a happier place for squirrels.