There’s a woodpecker on my roof…

THERE’S A WOODPECKER ON MY ROOF

 I haven’t been able to sleep much beyond 5:00 a.m. the past couple of weeks as I’ve had a noisy visitor that feels inclined to jackhammer my roof every morning. The first morning I woke up in alarm half asleep and didn’t know what to think! My dog was ballistic and in full guard dog duty, now this is an eight lb. maltipoo we are talking about here.

I have since done a bit of research and it means he likes my house almost as much as I do!

Woodpeckers do it for three reasons: 

1.    To mark their territory. A drumming woodpecker is warning other birds that your home is his. The birds also drum to attract mates. It’s most common during the spring early in the morning and late in the afternoon.

2.    To carve out a home for themselves. They nest in cavities that they create with their beaks. They prefer to create those cavities in dead or dying trees, but if there aren’t any around, they’ll use your home as a substitute.

3.    To find bugs. Well-seasoned wood isn’t usually infested with insects, so woodpeckers drill into new houses, for about the first two years after a home is built, in search of dinner. 

I found all kinds of stories on the Internet about these pesky and wonderful birds. I’m sure I would think this bird is gorgeous and charming if he was doing his drumming where he’s supposed to be doing it.. on a tree! It does appear as though he is preparing to build a nest and I’m thinking this morning I better call in some damage control. The neighbour is a good shot and has volunteered gun duty but I politely declined… I don’t know how the municipality would take it and It’s also right above my bedroom window! My love for nature and wildlife will certainly find the proper solution…

Either HE goes or I go!!….

copyright Es-tee R. Miller