Tweeters,

My Urban Wildlife Sanctuary may be getting me in trouble with the
neighbors. Some new people bought the four-story, wood apartment
building next door a year or so ago. That spring was the first time a
Flicker drilled holes in their eastern exterior wall. We took down our
woodpecker feeder immediately and I didn't let Alan put it back up until
late fall, fully intending to take it down again before nesting season.
This year, they beat me to it. The first time I heard him, he was
drilling a hole in their north wall on the east side. Down came the
feeder, but too late, I fear. He's made two more holes, now on the
north in the west side (odd!), and they've both been accepted by a
female (even odder!).

What can I do? I called the new owners right away and they gratefully
said they knew somebody good who they'd call right away. Too good, I'm
afraid. They haven't shown up yet, and I think they may be waiting for
incubation to do the job and truly discourage the birds. I'm afraid to
tell them Flickers like ants for fear they'll use some nasty pesticide
that will hurt more than the ants and the Flickers. I've already got
two injured Jays in my cypresses and one came by yesterday with
earthworms in its beak.

Should I try putting up a nest in case the Flickers like my nest better
than their own (oy!) and defend the territory against other Flickers? I
can't run out and scare them very well because I'm sick too often.
These owners already butchered my shrubs trying to keep them away from
their sidewalk and I'm not sure they realize that we rake up our leaves
for them. (The better to mulch with!)

Ideas and suggestions welcome!

Patricia Lott