The picture is deceiving. The ISS is not directly under the antenna, it appears to be that way. The antenna is at minimum 4" away from the ISSM, then you add the mount on the ISSM, you have at least 6+ inches from the top of the ISSM bucket. So far I have not had any problem with birds, it has been up since May of this year. I had it down late last month and the ISSM is clean. I have already looked at a way to re-mount the ISSM. I just have to watch where I put it. I could loose my signal from the garage blocking it. I am watching all of my readings, as I have another system in a different area. So far all of the readings are the same, except for the wind speed.