You have a major problem. Woodpeckers can make Swiss cheese out of any wooden structure. The drumming can be territorial, foraging or nesting. You need to nail sheet metal over that area before they occupy the nest. First, of course, you have to check that the woodpecker hasn't found something eating your wood, like Carpenter Ants.

We have been fighting White-headed Woodpeckers at our Tahoe place for years.

RCC

Richard Carlson
Full-time Birder, Biker and Rotarian
Part-time Economist
Tucson, AZ, Lake Tahoe, CA, & Kirkland, WA
rccarl at pacbell.net
Tucson 520-760-4935
Tahoe 530-581-0624
Kirkland 425-828-3819
Cell 650-280-2965


--- On Mon, 11/24/08, William R. Andersen <ander at u.washington.edu> wrote:

> From: William R. Andersen <ander at u.washington.edu>
> Subject: [Tweeters] Northern Flicker
> To: "Tweeters (tweeters at u.washington.edu)" <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
> Date: Monday, November 24, 2008, 4:28 PM
> Friends:
>
> We have a Northern Flicker drumming away at some of the
> wooden trim on our chimney system each morning. It is of
> course a beautiful, gaudy bird, but I'd like to minimize
> damage to the house, and of course any nesting in the
> chimney vents will eventually be regretted by everyone
> involved. Should I be concerned? If so, are there peaceful
> solutions?
>
> Bill Andersen
> Seattle
> ander at u.washington.edu
>
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