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News: Woodpeckers, Nuthatches & Chickadees

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birdcamfan:
In the nearby forest, it might be helpful to leave the dead trees standing. They are very attractive to woodpeckers of all types. Perhaps someone cleaned up the forest a little bit too well and removed an alternate source of food and shelter. We have left them up on our property at Winnipeg beach and the woodpeckers and flickers seem to like them. The added bonus as that we had Red Headed Woodpeckers last summer. We've never had them before. It's really too bad that they have attacked your church, it's hard for most churches to just keep the doors open never mind paying for costly repairs.

The Peregrine Chick:

--- Quote from: sami on March 22, 2011, 15:55 ---It wouldn't be a matter of just removing the spire - the front section  (entry way) and bell tower  would then have to be removed. As a historical site, there would be some problems with getting permission to change the church in that way. The site has been checked for insects, and apparently none were found.

There are all kinds of trees around - this is a wooded area - these particular birds just took a fancy to the church. I doubt it had anything to do with their religious affiliation!

--- End quote ---

I remember doing some research on pileated woodpeckers, they are very particular in their choices, probably because they live year-round in a relatively harsh environment, well usually live in a very harsh environment  ;) 

I'll be interested in hearing what eventually works Sami!

sami:
It wouldn't be a matter of just removing the spire - the front section  (entry way) and bell tower  would then have to be removed. As a historical site, there would be some problems with getting permission to change the church in that way. The site has been checked for insects, and apparently none were found.

There are all kinds of trees around - this is a wooded area - these particular birds just took a fancy to the church. I doubt it had anything to do with their religious affiliation!

des:
I thought the site had a few more ideas.
Why don't you just cut your losses and get rid of the spire?
The money could no doubt be put to better use. 

The Peregrine Chick:

--- Quote from: sami on March 22, 2011, 09:52 ---Thanks, Des. Unfortunately, noise did not deter the birds, even ringing the bells didn't scare them off. Because of the height of the spire, the amount of the damage wasn't recognized at first, and the morning after the first seven or eight holes were patched, three more , including one through a patch, appeared by noon.These were determined birds! The repair consists of taking off the top part of the spire (requiring a special crane because of the height), bringing it down to the ground to repair and replace the supports inside, cover the outside with metal and then with shingles. We are wondering if there might then be a new breed of woodpeckers - with crumpled beaks from trying to peck through the metal........

--- End quote ---

Pileated woodpeckers are non-migratory and very territorial.  They are boreal cavity nesters and their territories typically contain a number of cavities for them to use.  Some they have "dug" out for nesting, others for roosting, feeding, some for the young after fledging, some for bad weather, some for good, you get the idea.  Your spires may be one of the few things in "their" territory that they can make cavities in ....  Or they may be telling you you have wood-boring insects in your spires - that is their primary food source as I recall.  Its possible they are doing you a favour  :D

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