Spring resident returns

I am so thrilled to see a Pileated Woodpecker return to the same tree they nested in last year. It's adjacent to our house so we can sometimes even see one out our window. The best view is from the street though, which is where I shot these.

Last year they nested on the opposite side of the trunk so the only way to see the nest hole was from the neighbors front lawn. It was no problem considering no one was living there. This year some people have moved in and they aren't the friendliest. Luckily the bird is making a nesting hole on the side by the road!

I'm not sure if there's a female or not. I'll have to keep a look-out in hopes that there is.

I video'd for quite a while hoping to catch him making his call. He never did. Until I walked away that is.

If you'd like to hear what we've been listening to each morning, the drumming and the calling, click HERE This one is not my video.

*I'm glad so many of you enjoyed the Vermont farm photos. I loved taking them! By the way, I'm definitely no farm girl either! Flies and I don't mix.

For more Outdoor Wednesday posts go to A Southern Daydreamer

Making way for a family

 

 

Adjacent to my house sits some large, old, dead, or almost dead trees, a favorite with all the birds especially the Woodpeckers, Nut Hatches, or anything looking for bugs.  Quite often when I hear or see the Pileated Woodpeckers (love their call) this is where they are.  Thursday afternoon was no exception.

Look at her sitting there.  She kept going around back, playing hide and seek! At one point she completely disappeared leaving me to wonder, “Where did you go girl?”

Search, search, search . . . .

Oh my gosh, this is where she went! Isn’t she beautiful??? Talk about excited!  Joy oh Joy!  We’re going to have Pileated babies!  What a treat that will be!

Mrs. Pileated kept flying in and out.  At times she would throw some sawdust out of the hole leading me to believe the house is still under construction.  I only stayed a few minutes so as not to disturb her too much.  Wouldn’t want to scare them away!

Yesterday morning I went back over to see what was going on at the nest.  This time is was Mr. Pileated doing all the work.  He was a diligent worker too!   Ya gotta love a man who knows how to provide for his lady.

 

‘And don’t come back, you hear!!!’

I really am thrilled about this as the Pileated’s are one of my favorite birds. How can you not be in awe of their size and regal looks? Every couple days I’ll check in on them to see how they are progressing.  Judging by a couple other holes in the same tree I would say they have nested there in the past.  How on earth did I miss that?

Have a great Saturday!