Trixology

Weather => Weather Hardware/Measurement => Topic started by: nowait on September 05, 2017, 01:55:50 AM

Title: A squirrel or bird swapped my debris screen with half a white bread/biscuit...
Post by: nowait on September 05, 2017, 01:55:50 AM
A squirrel or bird swapped my Davis debris screen with half a white bread/biscuit... I.E. Maintenance reminder for all. :)

Got back from the Labor Day Holiday and discovered that my Davis debris screen had been swapped out for a piece of bread/biscuit!

This is not the first time.  It happened several years ago during the cold winter.  At the time, I decided that the animal was using my Davis Cone heater to warm up its meals (that time was a dinner roll)....

I ordered the replacement screen tonight.

Remember to check your weather station periodically for debris :)

Enjoy!
NoWait

http://nowaitweather.com     
Title: Re: A squirrel or bird swapped my debris screen with half a white bread/biscuit...
Post by: xairbusdriver on September 05, 2017, 07:29:19 PM
Well at least they made a trade! Most of the time they simply act like thieves! :o

Maybe you should train the animal to go on a gluten free diet! [banghead] Or you could make a hardware 'cloth' (half inch 'weave') cover for the gauge? [tup]

BTW, does your rain gauge have the anti-bird spikes?

We had a similar problem with raccoons many years ago. We have some powered attic/roof vents that have some poly-screen material to keep out bugs. Didn't bother the raccoons at all, the screening is very flexible and just got pushed aside. I ended up making hardware cloth covers on the inside, under the opening in the roof. I wasn't sure they raccoons had "left the building"! We never smelled any indication that they were still inside. I can only assume they were out visiting friends when I 'locked' their entrance. ThU32:-)
Title: Bummer! (Re: A squirrel or bird swapped my debris screen)
Post by: elagache on September 06, 2017, 12:13:43 AM
Dear nowait, X-Air, and WeatherCat station caregivers,

A squirrel or bird swapped my Davis debris screen with half a white bread/biscuit... I.E. Maintenance reminder for all. :)

. . . .

Remember to check your weather station periodically for debris :)

Bummer dude!  >:(  I'm also fighting critter a lot these days.  The food supply is short this year and especially turkeys are being annoying.

Oh well, you can buy a replacement debris screen.  Here is one outfit that has them Scaled Instruments.  They have the old design:

https://www.scaledinstruments.com/product/davis-7342-031-debris-screen-for-rain-collector-cone/ (https://www.scaledinstruments.com/product/davis-7342-031-debris-screen-for-rain-collector-cone/)

They also carry the newer model:

https://www.scaledinstruments.com/product/davis-7345-530-pro2-bird-spikedebris-screen-kit/ (https://www.scaledinstruments.com/product/davis-7345-530-pro2-bird-spikedebris-screen-kit/)

Oddly enough both are on sale at the moment.

During the long dry California summers I keep a cap on my rain gauge.  Here is a thread describing how I made it:

http://athena.trixology.com/index.php?topic=2468.msg23988#msg23988 (http://athena.trixology.com/index.php?topic=2468.msg23988#msg23988)

If you have a long dry spell the cap keeps the critters and plant debris out of your rain gauge.

Cheers, Edouard
Title: Re: A squirrel or bird swapped my debris screen with half a white bread/biscuit...
Post by: nowait on September 06, 2017, 12:37:44 PM
I already ordered one from scaled. :)
Thanks,
Nowait

Here's the picture (attached).
Title: Re: A squirrel or bird swapped my debris screen with half a white bread/biscuit...
Post by: Weatheraardvark on September 06, 2017, 02:30:16 PM
I already ordered one from scaled. :)
Thanks,
Nowait

Here's the picture (attached).

Well so much for those spikey things keeping critters at bay.   
Title: Re: A squirrel or bird swapped my debris screen with half a white bread/biscuit...
Post by: xairbusdriver on September 06, 2017, 03:18:55 PM
I already ordered one from scaled. :)
Thanks,
Nowait

Here's the picture (attached). [image of rain gauge sitting on grass]

Well, there's your problem!!! You should put that thing on at least a six foot pole!  cmu:-) Might not hurt to grease the outside of the 'tube', also! :o

It could be an optical illusion, but those spikes seem to have small 'caps' or 'balls' on them. Mine are rather sharp although not actually pointed... Perhaps the squirrels put something on the points to protect their tender parts? ???
Title: That's quite a trick! (Re: Swapped my debris screen with bread/biscuit...)
Post by: elagache on September 06, 2017, 10:27:52 PM
Dear nowait, Weatheraardvark, X-Air, and WeatherCat station caregivers,

I already ordered one from scaled. :)

Congrats!  Ryan won't let you down!  :)

Here's the picture (attached).

Hmm, I don't have one of the newer collector cones with the spikes.  I wonder how any creature could reach down to grab the collector cone with that sort of an obstacle?  Unless you have a monkey around, most creatures don't have limbs long enough to slide to past the spikes and reach the debris screen.

Very curious . . . . .  ???

Cheers, Edouard
Title: Re: A squirrel or bird swapped my debris screen with half a white bread/biscuit...
Post by: nowait on September 07, 2017, 01:59:08 AM
Yeah.  I upgraded to the metal spike model several years ago.  I had originally crafted a ring of zip ties and then used zip ties vertically as spikes. Kind of like a headband.   The sun eventually toasted the zip ties and I bought the upgraded model with metal spikes.

What can you do! :)

NoWait
Title: Re: A squirrel or bird swapped my debris screen with half a white bread/biscuit...
Post by: oamaru on October 22, 2017, 10:33:44 PM
I hope the biscuit was edible and tasty!  I am fortunate to live in an area where annoying creatures are absent.  However, in mountainous parts not more than an hour away, there are big mountain parrots called "Keas", who are totally destructive.  They regularly strip cars of their wiper blades, door seals, not to mention puling the lead heads off roofing nails and rifling through insecure garbage cans.  Their beaks are are like can openers. 
Here is a link to see one: http://farm1.staticflickr.com/187/367689478_483c825ae1_z.jpg or even better is this one:
http://www.hickerphoto.com/images/1024/nestor-notabilis_15995.jpg 
Title: Where in the world are you? (Was: A squirrel or bird . . . )
Post by: elagache on October 23, 2017, 12:17:34 AM
Dear oamaru and WeatherCat station owners who must battle against wild critters,

I hope the biscuit was edible and tasty!  I am fortunate to live in an area where annoying creatures are absent.  However, in mountainous parts not more than an hour away, there are big mountain parrots called "Keas", who are totally destructive. 

Yes that does sound like a quite a monster!  Precisely where in the world are you located?  Parrots are found in many places and I'm curious to know where these beasts are located!

In Northern California the worse pest these days are the wild turkeys, but fortunately they don't damage weather stations.

Cheers, Edouard
Title: Re: A squirrel or bird swapped my debris screen with half a white bread/biscuit...
Post by: Blicj11 on October 23, 2017, 05:34:40 AM
Welcome to the WeatherCat forum oamaru, but please leave your keas at the door.
Title: Re: A squirrel or bird swapped my debris screen with half a white bread/biscuit...
Post by: nowait on November 10, 2017, 11:54:50 PM
Doing my periodic check for debris in my Davis weather station and it seems that my squirrel friend has upgraded from biscuits to pumpkins...  I can't wait to see what might be next,,,,
See attached picture.

no wait
Title: With friends like that . . . . .(Re: A squirrel or bird swapped ... )
Post by: elagache on November 11, 2017, 12:21:39 AM
Dear NoWait and WeatherCat station caregivers,

Doing my periodic check for debris in my Davis weather station and it seems that my squirrel friend has upgraded from biscuits to pumpkins...  I can't wait to see what might be next,,,,

 ;) . . . . With friends like that - you don't need any enemies!!  [banghead]

Seriously, how do you think the critters are getting assess to your collector cone?  Could it be that they are active in some location above the collector cone and accidentally dropping things into it?

Cheers, Edouard
Title: Re: A squirrel or bird swapped my debris screen with half a white bread/biscuit...
Post by: xairbusdriver on November 11, 2017, 01:34:50 AM
Please tell us that the ISS (minus the temp sensors) is not actually on the ground. :o I assume you placed it there for the picture after you had removed the bottom temp parts for maintenance. [coffee]

I bought a 'squirrel-proof' bird feeder a couple of years ago (you can see it in my web cam images). But it was only successful after I installed a plastic 'umbrella' just above the perch. The feeder is high enough that squirrels can't jump onto it from the ground. Those that climb down from the large crepe myrtle slide right off the 'umbrella'. But a cone-shaped 'umbrella' can also act like a 'rat guard' or barrier that are used on a moored ship's hawsers.

I don't have any kind of barrier on my (wooden) ISS post, fortunately, none of the squirrels around here seem to be interested in weather instruments! [lol]
Title: Re: A squirrel or bird swapped my debris screen with half a white bread/biscuit...
Post by: nowait on November 11, 2017, 03:18:59 AM
My Davis is mounted to the galvanized pole which is attached to 7-8ft post with a metal squirrel guard in a 8ft tall closed picket fencing and gates.

I will probably hook up my rain collector heater this weekend.  This will melt the snow at temperatures less than 37 degrees (thermostatically controlled).  This will likely keep the squirrel's breakfast warm... :)

nowait
Title: Nothing above the cone? . . . . .(Re: A squirrel or bird swapped ... )
Post by: elagache on November 11, 2017, 10:09:56 PM
Dear X-Air, NoWait, and WeatherCat station caregivers in the "great" (great?   ??? ) outdoors,

My Davis is mounted to the galvanized pole which is attached to 7-8ft post with a metal squirrel guard in a 8ft tall closed picket fencing and gates.

WOW!  That sounds like an impregnable defense if I ever heard of one.  Are their any tree branches, utility wires, or other conduits that a critter could use to pass above your cone?  Our squirrels regularly use the power wires to commute from the roof to the nearby trees.  The situation looks like perhaps a critter is accidentally dropping its meal on route.


I will probably hook up my rain collector heater this weekend.  This will melt the snow at temperatures less than 37 degrees (thermostatically controlled).  This will likely keep the squirrel's breakfast warm... :)

 [wink] . . . . How thoughtful!  That should get you an award from the SPCA! . . . .  lol(1)

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: Re: A squirrel or bird swapped my debris screen with half a white bread/biscuit...
Post by: Blicj11 on November 13, 2017, 09:00:14 AM
I will probably hook up my rain collector heater this weekend.  This will melt the snow at temperatures less than 37 degrees (thermostatically controlled).

I've used the Davis rain collector heater for a couple of years now. It works very well.
Title: Re: A squirrel or bird swapped my debris screen with half a white bread/biscuit...
Post by: nowait on November 13, 2017, 12:29:15 PM
I've had mine for many years now.  I think it does a very good job.

 Nowait
Title: Not squirrels but spiders! . . . . .(Re: A squirrel or bird swapped ... )
Post by: elagache on November 13, 2017, 10:55:54 PM
Dear Blick, NoWait, and WeatherCat station caregivers,

I was rushing to get the house ready for the next storm when I noticed a few leaves stuck in the collector cone of my rain gauge.  After uttering the obligatory expletives, I rushed up to see what was going on.  What had happened was too cute not to photograph:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Weather/Spider-webs-and--animal-station-interactions/i-r63SPgw/0/06214aee/XL/Leaves%20caught%20in%20spider%20web%20spun%20on%20rain%20gauge%20-%20South%20West-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Weather/Spider-webs-and--animal-station-interactions/i-r63SPgw/A)

As you can see, the leaves aren't in contact with the collector cone at all.  Instead they are snared in the spider web that has sprung up on the East side of the cone.  That web isn't alone:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Weather/Spider-webs-and--animal-station-interactions/i-j94vxZ2/0/88cb1545/XL/Leaves%20caught%20in%20spider%20web%20spun%20on%20rain%20gauge%20-%20South%20East-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Weather/Spider-webs-and--animal-station-interactions/i-j94vxZ2/A)

You can see the raindrops starting to populate both spider webs.  Here is one last photo:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Weather/Spider-webs-and--animal-station-interactions/i-tNfHXgZ/0/a466bb69/XL/Leaves%20caught%20in%20spider%20web%20spun%20on%20rain%20gauge%20-%20East-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Weather/Spider-webs-and--animal-station-interactions/i-tNfHXgZ/A)

We are supposed to have a stormy week, so eventually the winds will remove the leaves, but the spider webs may hang on for a bit.  After all, spider web is stronger than steel of the same weight!

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: Re: A squirrel or bird swapped my debris screen with half a white bread/biscuit...
Post by: nowait on November 13, 2017, 11:22:46 PM
 :)
Title: Re: A squirrel or bird swapped my debris screen with half a white bread/biscuit...
Post by: Blicj11 on November 14, 2017, 01:46:26 AM
Nice report and photos to back up your story. Get some rain and then send the storm this way. We are down to 1 inch (of snow) on the ground.
Title: Worry not . . . . an "AR" is coming!! (Re: A squirrel or bird )
Post by: elagache on November 14, 2017, 11:06:26 PM
Dear NoWait, Blick, and WeatherCat West Coast drought watchers,

Get some rain and then send the storm this way. We are down to 1 inch (of snow) on the ground.

Worry not!  The next storm involves those two words that should be music to your ears: "Atmospheric River!" (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/rain_happy.gif)

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: Re: A squirrel or bird swapped my debris screen with half a white bread/biscuit...
Post by: nowait on November 17, 2017, 10:53:24 PM
Today I re-installed my trusted Davis heater for the winter.   What did I find?  Another piece of gourd/pumpkin much like the one I reported earlier .  Likely from the same animal!  To make it even better, when the temperatures are 37 degrees or less.. my heater will kick on and warm up the items stashed in my Davis cone.  Nice...

Nowait
Title: You need a security camera! (Re: A squirrel or bird)
Post by: elagache on November 17, 2017, 11:48:04 PM
Dear NoWait and WeatherCat station caregivers,

Today I re-installed my trusted Davis heater for the winter.   What did I find?  Another piece of gourd/pumpkin much like the one I reported earlier .  Likely from the same animal!  To make it even better, when the temperatures are 37 degrees or less.. my heater will kick on and warm up the items stashed in my Davis cone.  Nice...

Wow!  How is this critter getting there to deposit its "stash" in your collector cone?  I wish that you could point a security camera with a motion sensor at your rain gauge.  The footage could be - very interesting! 

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: Re: A squirrel or bird swapped my debris screen with half a white bread/biscuit...
Post by: nowait on November 18, 2017, 03:47:31 PM
I think my camera maybe too far away to  trigger on the small animal (so far).
I might need to relocate the pole (there's a chance that it may be taking a "leap of faith" get reach it).
I've already begun negotiations with my better half but likely nothing will happen until spring.

nowait
Title: Re: A squirrel or bird swapped my debris screen with half a white bread/biscuit...
Post by: Blicj11 on November 18, 2017, 04:12:35 PM
With these negotiations dragging on until spring it looks like nowait weather will be waiting. Probably very wise on your part.
Title: Sounds like a squirrel (Re: A squirrel or bird)
Post by: elagache on November 18, 2017, 10:33:03 PM
Dear NoWait, Blick, and WeatherCat station caregivers,

I might need to relocate the pole (there's a chance that it may be taking a "leap of faith" get reach it).

That does sound more plausible.  Birds should be deterred by the spikes.  Squirrels do make some amazing leaps as part of their normal routine.

I've already begun negotiations with my better half but likely nothing will happen until spring.

Best of luck in those "delicate" negotiations!  :)

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]