Just the back yard!? Nah, I want the front and side yards landscaped in natives too.



Sunday, January 9, 2011

Woodpecker Pecking

Today I walked through the paths of our property a couple times during the day. At one point I came across a woodpecker (a downy or hairy, I think). It was perched in the remains of a dead blue spruce that I had girdled the first summer here. The spruce was dying and I thought it would make a better snag for wildlife. I thought it was too small to be of much use as a snag, but I found out today that the woodpecker was making use of it.

I plan to remove the rest of the blue spruce (not native to our area) and replace them with white pine which I love. The blue spruce looks out of place here, whereas the white pine is part of the natural area--there are even some mature ones accross the street from me. The wood pecker was not more than four feet from me and didn't seem to mind my taking several pictures and a video--despite several loud beeps as I changed modes.

Here is the video:

4 comments:

Mary Bridget said...

Cool video! Did you notice the call of the red-tailed hawk in the background sound?? :)

David said...

After reading your post, I went back and listened. I heard it, but would not have been able to identify it. Thanks!

I really should try to learn to recognize bird calls and songs.

Mary said...

When I first played it, I smiled and wondered if you knew the red tail was calling...they have such a distinct call, don't they?

The best way to learn them is to find a good website or even a CD.

David said...

I'm so glad that you said something, because I was totally clueless! ~smile~

I have listened once or twice on a website, but I'll need to study more--I'll add it to my list of things to do! ;)