Touchdown!!! A Pileated Woodpecker is nesting on my property!

[Atlas Mugged]

I saw this huge bird earlier this Spring, but thought it was a marvelous fluke. Especially since I've live here for 13 years and never even seen one. But, now, on the edge of my property (6.5 acres and surrounded by vast woodlands) I keep hearing loud hammering in the thickets where a massive old Weeping Willow collapsed years ago. I can actually see where he's working, but I've decided to avoid the area for a while, until he's moved in with his mate.

It's been an amazing year for bird's nests. I've got a whole series of Robin's nest photographs, from egg to fledgling on disc, and now I have an eye-level Redwing Blackbird with 5 eggs to monitor. Not to mention a House Wren, who's first hatched today. This nest is only 2 feet off the ground and ridiculously visible; all the better to photograph - but I worry about vermin.

[shance]

1. Very cool***Sounds like you have your own sanctuary.

I had the opportunity to raise a Northern Shrike until it could fly a few years back. Amazing.

[sasquatch]

2. I have two of them, they make some big holes in trees

:hi:

[DemBones DemBones]

3. Post a photo when you get one! We've had

pileateds around for years and I believe they must nest in the vicinity but have never seen their nest. They are some of the coolest birds I've ever seen. I read years ago that they, and other woodpeckers, will come to a giant-sized suet feeder hung up pretty high. I have not tested this myself, mind you, but think of the photos you could get!

[Kat45]

4. Cool! Of course, you'll have to post photos when you get them.

[Rowdyboy]

5. Thats really neat!

I have a few robin nests, an extended family of mourning doves, and several hummer nests.

We had woodpeckers of some sort but, sadly, the trees (pecan) were old and quite brittle, and posed a serious threat to the house so they had to go.

[tonekat]

6. Had 3-4 visits from one during last week

Got some pics with my telephoto, can't wait til their developed. They like our peanut feeder, apparently. I usually hear them up in the canopy of the big oak trees here, rarely do they come down into the yard, usually once or twice a year.