All,

Today, I was summoned to a local mini-storage facility here in Bellingham to
assess a "problem woodpecker" situation.

I utilized the visual aid of a field guide and the manager of the facility
pointed out a Hairy Woodpecker as the culprit. With that ID in mind, I was a bit
surprised to see a flicker leaving the nest hole as soon as I turned the
corner of the building. After addressing the new ID (part of our ongoing public
education program), I was impressed to see a perfect 2 1/2 to 3 inch hole that
had been drilled right through the exterior STUCCO wall of the building!

I plan to photograph this unique nesting cavity and I will monitor the hole,
as well as another on the opposite side of the same building (more stucco). I
guess stucco doesn't stop a determined flicker...or two!

Cheers,
Joe

Joe Meche
Vice President/Avalanche Editor/Birding Programs Coordinator/
Board of Directors
North Cascades Audubon Society
Bellingham, WA
360-738-0641 home
360-739-5383 office