Well up to now which is only the first week , it has worked in stopping a grey squirrel from getting the peanuts . The squirrel climbs down from the top with ease but the feeding ports close with its weight . Although it is early days , unfortunately the birds don't appear to like it as much as my previous Yankee Droll peanut feeders that I hung higher up in the tree . Not possible to do this with the two feeders in the photo as 18 inches clearance is now required ! Will just see what happens going forward in time particularly when weather gets worse ! Personally , based on my own experience I would like to see a rain guard made for this .