We too live on South Whidbey, but our local flickers have pretty much
stopped drumming the past week. They were drumming frequently for about
3 or 4 weeks. Perhaps they are nearing an end to their antics in your
area. They love the metal cap on our chimney.
But I have a great idea to prevent your being jolted awake from a deep
sleep. Get up at five, make your favorite hot beverage, go outside, and
listen to the awesome chorus between 5 and 6 a.m. It's often the
highlight of my day this time of year. :-)
George Heleker
Whidbey Island
On 2020-05-03 11:31, David A. Armstrong wrote:
>
It started about a month back, and continues daily to this morning. Anywhere from 5:30-6:30AM, we are jolted from deep sleep by the staccato jack-hammer drumming of northern flickers on metal rain gutters all around the neighborhood on Mutiny Bay, S Whidbey Island. When just 5' outside the bedroom window, there's no place to hide....you are instantly awake. And no way to sleep again as you wait for the next burst that will follow in 20-30 seconds. But they are a tricky bird, and a minute might elapse...you think "OK, they're done", close your eyes, drop to the pillow, and then they let lose again in response to a distant drum from another bird.
>
We have never in 16 years encountered such frequent, incessant drumming on metal surfaces. Compared to some old tree, the metal drumming really projects far and wide. You come to realize that the "musical" quality of the drumming surface (rain gutter, satellite dish, hard- or soft-wood tree) isn't the species-specific attractant, it's the absolutely precise frequency of the cadence/rhythm of the drum. Dennis Paulson emphasized use of drumming as a species trait last year in the master birding class. He is right; and I dread 5:30 AM tomorrow.
>
david armstrong
>
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