ravencajun, that reminds me of our girls who would sit and stare at our wood stove. We found out why...there were birds trying to nest atop our chimney and they'd fall down the pipe and end up in the stove. The girls thought it was a bird-dispensing machine. We quickly got a chimney guy out who fixed the cap so the birds couldn't get in. We were happy...the girls, not so much.

Not really funny, but as a Snoopy, leaf and autumn lover, it sure does make me smile.

Annie we had a baby racoon fall down our chimney and Mia was going nuts in the fireplace. We could hear it but it was not reachable. We covered the chimney. I would bet that board is still on top of it and someone will buy that house not knowing about it. It's sad when baby animals fall down there.

No spark arresting chimney cap on top? That's usually a code requirement. They all serve to block animal or bird entrance and most have a small cover of some kind to deflect rain. Putting a board over the opening is dangerous.

glenda, I suppose they're doing the can-can!