To kill a mocking, err, blackbird...

Thomas · May 3, 2002

What about those red headed woodpeckers..any idea how to handle them??

Every morning couple of woodpeckers start banging on mailboxes,transformers, anything metal or plastic..kinda sounds like automatic gun fire..dang birds.

Old_Wanker · May 3, 2002

I use a .22 BSA Air Rifle (spring powered) with a velocity of around 800 fps and a 6x scope. Its about the same as a .22 short rimfire but pellet velocity drops quicker. Ive used it on groundhogs too out to about 30 yards.

Illiniwek · May 3, 2002

Actually, I did look into purchasing the LandPride Partical Beam and Laser PTO attachment for the Kubota, but Tractor Supply didn't have any in stock. Very disappointing!!!

rmorgan · May 3, 2002

Thomas--I think you're probably stuck with the woodpeckers (probably red bellied, by the way, even though they have red heads; redheaded woodpecker populations are dramatically down because of--<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.petersononline.com/birds/month/rhwo/#conservation>check it out</A>--probable nest competition from starlings). The best way to distract them is to feed them; a couple of suet feeders and there's a good chance they'll be quite pleased to leave the mailbox alone, as well as good entertainment.

Thomas · May 3, 2002

Thanks for the info..and I hope I don't lose another big maple to those buggers. /w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif

patrickg · May 3, 2002

My dealer has one but says, like the Kubota backhoe and tire ballast, I can't install it on a cab model. Oh well, air conditioning is almost worth not having a partical beam weapon or a rail gun.

Patrick

patrickg · May 3, 2002

Egon,

" Seem to recall the passenger pigeon and buffalo as suffering terribly from Mr. Henry,Mr.
Sharps "

Hmmmm, I don't recall ever hearing about any passenger pigeon hunts with Henry rifles or Sharps.

Let's see, Quigley!, take that long gun out there and get cook some passenger pigeons to stew up for Mr. Marster's supper!

Nah, doesn't sound quite right. OK how about, "Stalking the canny and notoriously dangerous-when-wounded passenger pigeon, Pearl Buck relies on his vintage Sharps to "do the deed" in a single shot, sparing him and his Henry toting backup shooter a certain and grisly death at the beak and talons of this winged monster."

Nah, sorry, I don't think it "scans", you give it a try and see what you can do with it.

Patrick

Dozernut · May 3, 2002

Buy yourself a rubber snake and place it where you don't want them, they will not come back to that spot. They were pecking holes in the cedar siding on the garage, so we hung a couple of rubber snakes, problem solved.

Egon · May 3, 2002

Patrick:

Youre not inculding some of the post. There was mention of other manufacturers.

If memory serves me correctly the passenger pigeon also suffered from loss of viable habitat.

Remember; of all creatures that lived on earth 95% are exticnt. And that happened long before the age of firearms. I also seem to recall the the most prolific species on earth addapted so well they managed to change the atmospheric qualities and made our lives possible.

Egon

RichZ · May 8, 2002

Thomas, you will never lose any tree to a woodpecker. When a wookpecker is digging in a tree, they are digging out all sorts of bugs, which is beneficial to the tree. Woodpeckers have actually saved countless tress from infestations of borers.

When they're pounding on something metal, it's the male woodpecker announcing that this is his terrotory. After mating season, the racket will stop. But it's worth it for the amount of bugs they consume.