John Dann wrote:

Along similar lines, a related suggestion is to secure - eg with
insulating tape - a ring of toothpicks or similar around the
circumference of the top of the gauge and obviously projecting above
it.

Any suggestions on how to stop spiders from tying down the tipping
bucket with web?

At least it's only happened once -- same goes for the crow that
collided with the anemometer (which I happened to see). I bet they'd
pinch tooth picks though.

--
John H