Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve at Stanford University has a novel approach to protect the Leslie Shao-ming Sun Field Station at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve from woodpecker damage. They've installed large mechanical spiders on the exterior walls. These spiders, when activated by vibrations, drop several feet and slowly rise back up to their original position. These spiders keep the flickers and woodpeckers away (not to mention the added entertainment value)! You may want to contact the station and ask them for guidance - sounds like an interesting, harmless and simple solution...

http://jrbp.stanford.edu/fieldstation.php

A. Kopitov
Seattle, WA