Three leaves broken off sunflower plant next to bird feeder... chipmunk?

Yesterday I put a pole to support the plant during yesterday's crazy winds, but then today I saw a chipmunk climbing the pole to try to reach the feeder.  So, I went out and removed the pole (since the winds are done).  But then this evening, I'm seeing three leaves broken off, all on the side of the feeder -- I'm pretty sure it's the chipmunk who caused these sunflower leaves to break, while trying to climb the plant to reach the bird feeder.  (One of the leaves broke off in the past week or so, but I'm quite sure two of the leaves broke today.

It's a wonder the squirrels haven't been an issue with the feeder at all this year...

Cardinal pair at same time as song sparrows! Arguments! -- and a rat! chipmunk too!

At lunch time (it's a work day) I noticed a female cardinal at the green feeder!  At the same time as 3 song sparrows were eating!  Then a male cardinal came by and ate from the table (from the mixed-seed plate)!  The male then hopped to the ground and foraged there for a while.

Some minor arguments as the song sparrows tried to shoo the cardinals away, but I think they worked it out fairly amicably.

But wow, so cool, 5 birds of 2 species at the same time!

A few minutes later, I had my first sighting of the neighbourhood rat.  Very cute!  But I feel like not something I should encourage.  So, placed my dog's fur at the fence and at a spot of the bed s/he was trying to dig, no idea if that will work.

Also, yesterday started seeing the chipmunk, and earlier today too.  (Actually saw 2 chipmunks at once yesterday)

It's a zoo around here...!

Chipmunk has returned

First noticed the chipmunk in the yard about a week ago.  Just on the ground, haven't seen him/her up on the bird feeder pole yet.  Just hope s/he won't take chunks out of zucchinis, tomatoes, etc.

White crowned sparrow; and, 2 squirrels and a chipmunk

Three birds in the yard at the same today, eating/hopping along on the ground (never went up on the birdfeeder).  One was for sure a white crowned sparrow:  striking black/white hat, no yellow spots on head, greyish chest wrapping around to the back, brown stripey wings, brown lower back, long tail.  At least one of the other birds there at the same time was a mottled brown bird, google says females look the same as males, so maybe the mottled one was a juvile?

White crowned sparrow:  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-crowned_Sparrow/overview

 

Two squirrels in the yard today!  Surely no coincidence that today's the first day I made some vegetarian cake and put it in the cage feeder.  Some crumbled to the ground which is where the squirrels were eating.  The chipmunk seemed mildly interested in the cake in the cage but didn't try hard to eat it, instead went to the seed feeder.

Birds at feeder! -- and a chipmunk too!!!

Ah, saw the first birds at the feeder today!  Small brown bird, I guess a sparrow?  Saw one bird at a time, several times throughout the day.

And ---- saw a chipmunk there too!  So did Jasper and Scooter.  Jasper is now on guard...  I'd be fine feeding the chipmunk(s) too if I knew they wouldn't also start eating *my* food...  Fingers crossed.