Happy 3rd of July,

In early spring I hear lots of drumming by all five species of local woodpeckers. With mating season over and nesting activities in full swing the drumming had stopped. A couple of weeks ago I noticed that a Downy Woodpecker was drumming again on a snag behind my house. I wondered at the time if he was still looking for a mate or perhaps he had lost his mate and was making a second attempt to start a family this year. Today?s observations may have answered my questions. A young male downy woodpecker, with orange markings on its head, was working his way through the trees on the edge of the greenbelt that borders my backyard. I?d been observing him and the many other species visible from my back porch for 15-20 minutes when a second Downy landed on a snag and began drumming on a loose flap of bark. The Juvenile was in a tree about 20 feet away and when he heard the drumming he gave a whinny. The adult gave another drum roll and flew deeper into the green belt and the youngster followed him. My father used to whistle when it was time for us to come home. Papa Downy drums.
Any of you woodpecker experts out there feel free to correct me if my assumption is wrong.
Linda Phillips

Kenmore, 98028




_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail has tools for the New Busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox.
http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_1