Woodpecker courtship

They are amazing. I am assuming this is a courtship dance, even though I cannot see a red head on the one. JB's seen them do this dance on the lawn.


Woodpecker dance from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Do you remember the yellow-bellied sapsucker on the satellite dish? The males tap on the metal to attract a female. That was a funny video. Well, I came across him, again, down in the forest.

Yellow-bellied sapsucker from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

This is what the sapsucker does!

Back at the big woodpecker tree... A hairy woodpecker! I expect an owl might move in. You can see, in the close-ups, all the small holes where the pileated woodpecker found some bugs. I've found the setting sun lights up the hole really well. Pileated woodpeckers get to be 40 - 49 cm (19"), and this is a large hole.

Just for comparison, this is the female barred owl, in front of her nesting cavity. I've been following this pair for a couple of years. They use the same nest until it falls apart. Barred owls (uCornell) are between 43 and 50 cm (17 - 20") tall, so this might work if the other nest fails. They are very territorial, and have a hunting territory of 100s of acres. Another family will not move in for now.

I found a near-by tree where the woodpeckers have been hunting other bugs.


Every time I go down there, a red squirrel gives me a hard time. I didn't bother with a photo, I spent too much time talking to it. Here is an archival photo I especially like!

S/he must have a home in this area. I found very large piles of pine cone remains. It must feel safe enough to sit for a long time and eat.


The frog pond is still frozen over, even though we've lost a lot of snow cover. I walked back across it to get to the house.

Life under the feeder

We're amping up into spring, for some reason. The weather has been far too mild for February.

There is an ebb and flow to normal seasons. I should be snowshoeing on the wetland, with the critters, well, flora and fauna, asleep safe in the bosom of the snow cover. This just isn't right. Climate Change is a terrible thing.

Feb. 27 at bedtime!

This requires a bit of explanation! Last night it was 10 C., I opened the door, and both Hooper and Daisy managed to scamper out. Daisy is fine, but Hooper still doesn't come and go freely. Hooper doesn't like going out in the daylight.

First, Daisy climbed the tree in the background, way up 20' or so. Hooper sat under the tree, all I could see were his paws and his eyes. He was fascinated. She began to come down, then paused.
Then, Hooper took off, climbing about 4' up another tree, paused, then ran down. He fired himself up Daisy's tree, in sheer joy. We were ready for bed and couldn't leave Hooper out.
I grabbed the videocamera and managed to capture Daisy as she was beside the pond.
I went out in my boots and housecoat, trying to herd him in by moving further out into the yard and swinging around. That worked, eventually! JB held the door. So much for my sleep hygiene! It took me awhile to settle down...

Daisy Hooper from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Feb. 27, 4:42 a.m. bunny

The bird feeder attracts all sorts of critters. With this early spring weather, I'm going to have to be vigilant and bring them in before Junior Bear wakes up. One reader claimed this is a hare, but I don't think its ears are all that long. I am often corrected, and I try to do my research. There is no sense spreading errors!

Bunny from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo. Feb. 27 at 10 p.m. and then 4 a.m. today, Wed., Feb. 28th.

Then there is Butch.
Butch raccoon from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Feb. 26th there were three hanging out together.
Butch x 3 from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Faithful readers will recall my  Pileated Woodpecker and his large hole. I've been visiting irregularly, depending upon the ice cover on the ground. Back I went this week. There was a much smaller Hairy Woodpecker working the same tree.
Woodpecker from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Birdies!

Saturday's Critters #218
I haven't ventured far into the forest. It's treacherous walking, with freeze and thaws, and hail yesterday.

I moved the bird feeders around. Dratted red squirrel was disappointed, but settled in and enjoyed this feeder.


I think the red-breasted nuthatch was chastizing me for taking photos!



The hairy is happy!


Happily, the goldfinch is showing a bit of yellow!
goldfinch from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Wannabe birdie, wanna fly up to the feeder!
Black squirrel from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Birds at the feeder

I love their antics. These are photos I took through the window and some are better than others. 

I am finding the hairy woodpeckers are being really aggressive with the blue jays, as well as other birds. I always thought the jays were the biggest bullies.

A pair of American tree sparrows who have overwintered.


The jay peered around the feeder at the woodpecker! With my new pole system, the squirrels are deterred.


I just missed a photo with the three woodpeckers at the same time. The one on the right ducked!


I love the pattern of their feathers.


I imagined a conversation amongst these three mourning doves as they perched on the birdbath, and watched the other birds in the sunshine.
I'm not feeling particularly creative or inspired. Daisy is improving and we bring her home this afternoon. It's been a bit stressful!


Annabelle was sitting in the sunshine, bird watching on the bench. She's pretty much sticking to the deck, what with the snow.

Bird count day – December 16th

These are the usual culprits: chickadee, white and rose-breasted nuthatch, goldfinch (winter colours), blue jays, male cardinal, female pileated woodpecker, tree sparrow.

• mourning dove 8
• downy woodpecker 3
• hairy woodpecker 2
• pileated woodpecker 1
• black-capped chickadee 6
• red-breasted nuthatch 2
• white-breasted nuthatch 2
• dark-eyed junco 3
• northern cardinal 1
• American goldfinch 6
• American tree sparrow 2
• blue jay 6

This is a perfect illustration: the downy woodpecker's beak is small, the hairy's beak is much larger, in proportion to its head.