Our squirrels are always on high-alert with Sassy Marie always chasing them. And luckily, we have enough pecans that they don't even bother the bird feeders.
Cute picture...we have a squirrel jar that we feed the squirrels in. Plus they eat on the tray feeders and I don't really mind. They leave the hanging feeders alone 99% of the time here too as long as they have other food to eat.
Not only does the little guy get some food but he gets to swing as well. In 35 years feeding the birds only one squirrel learned to walk the 16 gauge steel wire the feeders are located on. Some birds though, are in cahoots with the squirrels as they often throw seeds to the ground hunting for the 'perfect' seed. I suppose I could make the squirrels a feeder that is 'almost' hard to get into. A challenge for human and squirrel. Jerry