Re: Pileateds: Help!
Gyrfal@aol.com
Mon, 7 Dec 1998 18:20:19 EST
Just last Saturday I was telling a friend of the thrill of seeing my first
Pileated way back in the late forties. Pileateds back then were pretty rare
where now they are common.
Today I did not have such fond feelings for that bird. Seems like over the
last year or so my local birds have hammered out huge chunks from the side of
my home in the woods (a couple of miles from Pennyfield and Hughs Hollow). I
have heard and seen them occasionally, and chased them off, but had no idea of
the extent of their damage, since they have concentrated on a side of the
house I seldom view.
Taking advantage of the mild weather, I climbed a ladder with a can of plastic
wood and was alarmed to find huge gaps in the siding, to the insulation in
places. In 1.5 hours I used up two 1 pound cans of the filler. And the job
is probably less than half done; I just ran out of the plastic wood!
Anyone out there have any ideas of something obnoxious to spray on the side of
the house to keep them away? Or any other strategy...
I am an avid bird lover, but this has gotten my aggressive juices flowing!
Bob Mumford
Darnestown
948 6813