A Naif in the Forest by Darrell Berger

Wing Tips to Hiking Boots: Musings of a New, Full-Time Poconos Resident 

Here is Topaz the mini Aussie looking through a large glass slider on our deck. Last week I was upstairs when I heard a definite but indeterminate “thud” followed by a loud barking frenzy. Topaz and Violet the Corgi had been disturbed by an event more interesting than a UPS delivery and less threatening than a bear. 

As I approached the sliders I saw nothing until I looked down. There was a beautiful, large pileated woodpecker, chest down on the floor of the deck, breathing heavily, blood escaping his mouth and nostrils. Soon the breathing stopped. 

He had flown into the glass slider. I wept. I fetched a shovel and a cardboard box, placing the bird carefully within. I carried him to the base of a tree far from where the dogs run. Digging was not easy, but I excavated sufficiently for the occasion. I placed him carefully, covered the grave with dirt, leaves, twigs and rocks, as secure as the shale allows. 

I was sad.  There are more woodpeckers this year, perhaps because of the mild winter. More at the bird feeder in winter. More recently chipped away fallen trees. More rat-a-tats in the air. I loved seeing them, hearing them, discovering their handiworks. 

This was the third bird that met his demise at those sliders over the eight years we have intruded ourselves into the forest. The others were small, a finch and a chickadee. I mourned them also, but perfunctorily. This woodpecker by comparison seemed a tragedy.

 I knew the sliders were a threat to birds. The little deaths proved it years ago. Now, finally, I was moved to act. Several web sites agreed that vertical pieces of cord about four inches apart would dissuade birds from flying into the glass. Soap or a pen that works on glass could be used to draw vertical lines. Birds will still see their reflections in the glass as rivals to attack, especially in spring, but will perceive the vertical lines as difficult to fly through and will turn away.  I ordered a pen.