ROCKPORT, Mass. (AP) — During the War of 1812, residents of Rockport, Massachusetts, hurled rocks at British soldiers using their stockings as slings. Today, they’re slinging trash bags and towels over the side mirrors of their cars to protect them from a destructive and determined pileated woodpecker. Over the last few weeks, the bird has broken more than two dozen mirrors and at least one vehicle’s side window. But residents are taking the violence in stride. Resident Ben Favaloro says he and his neighbors are having a good laugh about it, and no one wants to harm the bird. Pamela Hunt, an avian biologist with New Hampshire Audubon, says lots of smaller birds will be aggressive against their own reflections, but pileated woodpeckers don’t usually peck at opponents.… Continue Reading