My son Jeff & l were able to monitor a red headed woodpecker pair here on the point.l have tried to put together some photos from last years red headed woodpecker family. l was able to monitor this pair right from their arrival to the migration south. They nested in a tree on property that l knew the owners and was able to watch the whole thing. l timed it perfectly to the end. Got one fledgling coming out. Missed the other two. But l calculated 3 young and 3 young there were. The male arrived back on April 28th last year. Very early. Female arrived on April 29th. The pair reunited immediately and got to work on the nest that same week. Female rejected first nest built. On the wrong side of the tree. But the male then built on the other side ( facing west ) And the female moved in. l caught them mating and moving in and watched the whole process. It was so amazing. l had 2 occasions that l was there that starling tried to take over. But lost the battle. Once the young were in the nest and l watched with horror. The young were thinking food had arrived and it was starlings trying to take them out. Luckily they were old enough at that point that they were quite boisterous and were almost attacking the starlings for food. Making them back away and then the parent arrived and took over. Although the photos are not in correct order as l had hoped. l got as may as l could find in here. l have so many more. And hope to continue soon to complete the sight. This year l am very disappointed. My woodpeckers arrived late here on May 12th. They were here for a week,calling,chasing,and the male drumming at a fresh nest hole made by the red bellied woodpeckers this year. Starling were to dominate and chased them off. But then they have moved on. l hear them once in a while around the point. But have not been able to positively identify were they are. The last time l heard them was on May 26th over in the Big Bay Point Resort area. They were doing the courting calls. Due to development of the marina area. l can not go in there. There have been hundreds or more trees removed from there this spring. And l have seen a huge difference in the birds. People are taking big trees down at a rate that makes me sick. And always in breeding times. We need to have laws to protect the migratory birds nesting sites. And tree removal should only be allowed during the winter months. Unless of coarse they are a threat. Dead trees taken down should always have at least 20-30 feet left for the woodpeckers. Habitat is disappearing way to fast and the birds are disappearing with it. We all knew this resort or mega resort as they call it would have a devastating effect on the wildlife. and it is proving correct. The trees are not complete yet. Come fall hundred more are gone. Habitat for birds and animals with it. It just makes us all sick!!
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Red Headed Family from 2009.
My son Jeff & l were able to monitor a red headed woodpecker pair here on the point.l have tried to put together some photos from last years red headed woodpecker family. l was able to monitor this pair right from their arrival to the migration south. They nested in a tree on property that l knew the owners and was able to watch the whole thing. l timed it perfectly to the end. Got one fledgling coming out. Missed the other two. But l calculated 3 young and 3 young there were. The male arrived back on April 28th last year. Very early. Female arrived on April 29th. The pair reunited immediately and got to work on the nest that same week. Female rejected first nest built. On the wrong side of the tree. But the male then built on the other side ( facing west ) And the female moved in. l caught them mating and moving in and watched the whole process. It was so amazing. l had 2 occasions that l was there that starling tried to take over. But lost the battle. Once the young were in the nest and l watched with horror. The young were thinking food had arrived and it was starlings trying to take them out. Luckily they were old enough at that point that they were quite boisterous and were almost attacking the starlings for food. Making them back away and then the parent arrived and took over. Although the photos are not in correct order as l had hoped. l got as may as l could find in here. l have so many more. And hope to continue soon to complete the sight. This year l am very disappointed. My woodpeckers arrived late here on May 12th. They were here for a week,calling,chasing,and the male drumming at a fresh nest hole made by the red bellied woodpeckers this year. Starling were to dominate and chased them off. But then they have moved on. l hear them once in a while around the point. But have not been able to positively identify were they are. The last time l heard them was on May 26th over in the Big Bay Point Resort area. They were doing the courting calls. Due to development of the marina area. l can not go in there. There have been hundreds or more trees removed from there this spring. And l have seen a huge difference in the birds. People are taking big trees down at a rate that makes me sick. And always in breeding times. We need to have laws to protect the migratory birds nesting sites. And tree removal should only be allowed during the winter months. Unless of coarse they are a threat. Dead trees taken down should always have at least 20-30 feet left for the woodpeckers. Habitat is disappearing way to fast and the birds are disappearing with it. We all knew this resort or mega resort as they call it would have a devastating effect on the wildlife. and it is proving correct. The trees are not complete yet. Come fall hundred more are gone. Habitat for birds and animals with it. It just makes us all sick!!
Young red headed woodpeckers ,August.
Playing around the post across the street made for some good finding food experiences. This post seemed to have good juicy spiders hiding in the cracks. Parents were here a lot with the little ones doing feeding exercises.
The fight was on to who got the spiders. This is the day l found out my calculations were correct in number of babies. While these two older ones were at it on the post here l heard and saw the 3rd baby over in a tree. This baby was fed much longer than these two who were on there own feeding at this point. But of coarse still wanting to be fed once in a while. Mom & Dad were kept very busy. They always come in the spring fresh and beautiful and by fall ,look a bit worse for wear.
August.
Finally the food is transfered to the young woodpecker.
This almost looks like a wee fish in the parents beak. If you look closely it actually has a face.
Parent took this little one around the other side of the tree to a knot.
Waiting for the right moment. Parent has food.
Two young red headed woodpeckers today. They were never far from the house. PArents constantly feeding at the feeders. And getting bugs from the trees and posts on the road across the street.
July 6 through 26
Another fledgling awaiting a meal.
July 26th. Contemplating what to do!
July 26th. Walla!! It did it. All on it's own.
Now coming to the feeder on it's own. Still a little wonky on getting the food. But it's a start.
July 6th. First time at the feeder. The young one watches parent as it get the peanuts for it. Not the greatest picture as l took it through the window with a screen. But l wasn't going to miss this shot.
Fledging young. July 4/2009
It's out. (now what do I do.) l am not sure if this was the first or last to fledge. I was en route to Six Mile. But we had to stop off here as I knew they were ready to fledge according to dates. And sure enough. We at least got one fledgling after all this time spent monitoring this nest. Needless to say , Jeff & l were late for Six Mile. But for a good reason. We were happy. Fledged red headed disappeared into the woods. Could here it calling. But no parents in sight. But we had to move on. l am thinking this is the last to fledge. l know we heard 3 in the nest. And so far everything has gone according to schedule. Amazing.
This little one was so ready to come out. But so nervous as well. Parents were off getting food and it kept going in and out. Every time getting a little further.
A nice tasty meal being specially delivered.
Looks like it is smiling at the new world it is about to enter.
PArent feeding you which are now getting pretty big a soon to fledge.
June 27th
Young peeking out.
Young in the nest.
After mating at the nest sight.
Parents before nesting.
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