Using bit101 particle

I’m using Bit 101 particle to simulate a woodpecker chipping away at stuff.

(here the link to the particle class - http://www.bit-101.com/Particles/)

Here is the flash file: http://www.jamesrhodes.co.uk/example.fla

If you hover over the menu the bird appears. There is a movieclip that is attached to the cursor on the main stage.

Basically the action of attaching the particles slows the animation of the bird pecking too much. If I disable the particles it speeds back up.

Is there a way to speed up the pecking and have the chips appearing at the same time.

Any help much appreciated. Thank you.