Woodpeckers, especially sapsuckers love the old wood forest in Breadalbane. During our recent visit, we heard many bird calls, but the dominant bird sound was the tapping of woodpeckers.
My husband and I stopped numerous times to look, trying to pinpoint the source of the tapping. On one occasion, there was activity inside a huge woodpecker hole and we waited, but to no avail. The bird was too busy to exit.
This old trunk, with its row of holes, was evidence of a yellow bellied sapsucker.
I finally saw a yellow bellied sapsucker.
He landed on a piece of plywood which was attached to a tree near one of the trail entries.
He drilled at that sign, flew away and came back several times while I watched. I could imagine what he hoped to find in the old piece of plywood but how long would he continue without success?
Later, I discovered that drilling on such structures by woodpeckers can be a way to mark territory. The sign was perfect for the bird's purposes as well.
The more I observe and study birds, the more amazed I am by their intelligence and instincts.
28 comments:
Very nice pictures.
Those are some great shots of the woodpecker, Marie. I agree with you about birds. They are such fine creatures. :-)
He's a little sweetie Marie, that beak must be pretty hardy! I can see how they mark their territory but I wonder if eventually all that drilling into the trunk damages the tree ?
I had several woodpeckers at the old house, plus a piliated in the woods. How I loved them.
I just love your pictures! Yes birds are very interesting to study...I have a blackbird who always following me in the garden :)
Have a great weekend now.
Titti
I often hear them tapping away but very hard to see!
What a wonderful series.
I am so with you on the bird front. Bird-brained is NOT the insult that most people intend. They are so often clever, ingenious and adaptable. And lots of them are incredible parents too.
I have heard them but never seen one in person. Good capture and great info on the wee bird. I'm sure it's fun observing them doing their thing. Have a wonderful weekend Marie.
we have so many woodpeckers in this area - and a wide variety. nice capture, they can be very hard to photograph!! what you said in your last sentence is so true, they have very distinctive habits!!!
ps..my trip to see my son was an 8 hour car ride. i should note that, this was a long one, much longer than we like to drive. we sometimes fly to see him but i wanted to bring food for the week, in coolers, and i could not do that if i was flying!!!
Thank you, Mildred. Have a great weekend.
Birds are fine creatures indeed, Jan.
I have never heard of a woodpecker damaging a tree but it could happen I guess, PDP.
Imagine the pounding their brains take, Joanne. They are incredible.
There are so many blackbirds here too, Titti.
They are difficult to pin point, Shammickite.
We have a robin nesting under our patio these day, EC. We are looking forward to seeing her parenting skills after the five eggs hatch.
The woodpeckers are incredible to watch, Bill.
That's a long drive, Debbie, but so worth it I imagine.
Woodpecker is a charming bird. I like his red head. I hope I had a chance to spot a woodpecker nearby wood.
My husband says,woodpeckers are tapping up there!
I love watching the birds too and wonder if you have read The Bird Detective by Bridget Stutchbury? It's about investigating the secret lives of birds.
Patience is so important when stalking birds for photos, Tomoko. Good luck.
I will read it soon, Judith.
You had me right at the title. I love the subject of woodpeckers. I don't even need to see one if there's talk of them. I'm glad you did both.
They are amazing creatures, Ratty.
I'm glad s/he showed up for you and that you got close, or at least your camera did.
She must not have seen me as a threat, AC. I stood still for a long time and zoomed in slightly.
Great picture of the yellow bellied sapsucker! Beautiful picture of her thoughtful stance! Interesting how they are marking their territory too! We see lots of woodpeckers here too, but it is not a good sign for us to see a woodpecker on a tree, it could mean the dreaded pine beetles. A woodpecker is what first alerted us to what had happened to kill so many of our pines. They are amazing creatures. :)
They are indeed amazing, Marilyn.
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