Bring on the Grackles

Grackle Deterrent, originally uploaded by melissa.coats.

These blackbirds are everywhere, and they're loud. Their call is a high pitched, fast chicka-chicka-chika-chika. They travel in herds, much like cattle. And this spring they feel welcome on our porch, helping themselves to the dog food, bathing in the water bowl. Then, they leave their poop trail everywhere. One even had the gall to fly in our backdoor and scare the daylights out of us in our own kitchen. We found this lovely plastic, creepy-eyed solution at our local hardware store. So far, no grackles. Although, Turner did say he saw them all huddling in our tree, most likely planning their attack for when we walk out to our cars, out of range from the glassy eyed predator. He needs a name...I'm thinking Alfred....