By Dave Branco

New Hotel Gone To The Birds

Apr 13, 2018 | 1:52 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The new downtown hotel that’s weeks away from opening has become a target for a couple of Northern Flicker Woodpeckers.  The uninvited, winged guests are causing thousands of dollars in damages and likely won’t check out until the end of May. As construction workers are busy putting the final touches on the new Prince George Marriott Hotel, a team of woodpeckers are busy pecking holes into the stucco on the outside. 

Construction worker John Nafzinger, the birds return every day around ten in the morning and create thousands of dollars worth of damage. 
Prince George Naturalist Club member Jack Bowling says the Northern Flicker Woodpecker is a protected bird under the wildlife act, therefore the animal should not be disturbed once the eggs or young are in the nest. Bowling adds the chance of the birds returning next year are slim, however, if they enjoy their stay at the hotel during the first year they may return and drill new holes.