Subject: [Tweeters] Reprise: Pileated photo op (hopefully not ooops)
Date: Jun 23 13:20:25 2009
From: Paul Hicks - phicks at accessgrace.org


Tweets, One photographer expressed concern that the woodpecker nest I
reported may be too high for good pictures/video. It's about 50 feet high,
creating either a sharp angle upward or a great distance horizontally, with
little chance of a dark background. So less than optimal for photography.
The hole faces SSW. FYI. By the way, from Churchill Rd the snag tree is 1/4
mile west. About halfway there is a shortcut trail joining with the parallel
logging road that leads to the old mill pond. From the NE corner of the mill
pond you can get nearest the tree, but the "trail" passes through deep grass
(can be wet) and the last part passes along the top of a old dirt levee that
has been undercut in spots by overrunning water and beaver activity. The
trick is to walk carefully and see what you are stepping on. Good birding!
-- Paul Hicks / Tenino, s. Thurston Co / phicks AT accessgrace.org

--- Original Message ---
Tweets, If anyone is interested in a photogenic Pileated Woodpecker family,
there's a nest site in Tenino that is putting on a good show these days.
There are at least three eager young birds sticking their heads out of the
cavity at feeding time. I'd guess in a week or so they'll be fledged.
Access: From "downtown" eastward on SR507 (toward Rainier/Yelm); on
outskirts of town turn right at Churchill(/Mull) and park at the paved
"rail-to-trail." Walk about 1/4 mi just beyond the huge dead cottonwood to
get a side view. The nest is on one of the main trunks on the right-hand
side. For a head-on view, proceed 100 ft further up Churchill, enter the
signposted "Heernet" conservation property via the logging road, and at the
mill pond follow the trail toward the snag tree or out along the shoreline
opposite the tree. The nest hole should be obvious on the left-hand side,
about 1/2 to 2/3 way up. These birds are so cute even my nonbirder wife
loved them! Good birding!