Heard some noises from the chimney this morning and wondered
initially if it was just the rain. Later, heard distinct rattling in
the wood stove insert (rarely used) in the fireplace. I shown a
flashlight through the smokey glass and there was a northern flicker
staring back at me.
After much dithering (and no real advice from Department of Wildlife
or wildlife rescue organization), we rigged a large semi-transparent
storage container, minus the lid, around the stove doors, draped old
coats around the edges, carefully opened the stove door a
bit. Nothing for about a 1/2 hour then a thunk as he dropped into
the container.
We worked one coat across the open end of the container (bird jumping
about the whole time) and got it covered. Got him/her to the back
yard and away he/she went to the top of the Douglas fir behind our yard.
Hope the bird isn't so traumatized that it won't go into other
cavities. (And I've been assigned the task of putting screening
around the chimney openning.)

Jim Beneteau
Arlington, Wa