A while back, I wrote a blog entitled Attracting Pileated Woodpeckers To A Feeder Is A Challenge. The column generated a number of responses from bloggers throughout the country and Canada. One of the responses came from an anonymous blogger that hails from Ontario. It describes more pileated woodpecker activity on and near a house than I would have thought possible. While most of us are hoping for even an occasional visit by a pileated woodpecker or two, this tale reminds us that if our wishes come true, it is possible the result might far exceed our expectations. Some people might say that what Anonymous from Ontario experienced.
Here is what this blogger wrote:
“A Pileated Woodpecker has been tapping at my windows, window frames, brick and back door for over an hour this morning. I went outside and got within 10 feet. He hopped onto the ground! Two of them have been around for two weeks, and have taken the bark off of some pine logs I used to border a garden. There’s a pine stump that’s 4 feet high I plan to carve. They’ve already removed bark from that, to help me out, I guess. I took photos and loads of video of him from the other side of the window. Either he couldn’t see me or he wasn’t bothered about it. Eventually bits were flying off the window frame so it was time for him to move. Once I assume he’s left, he returns and starts knocking on the windows again. I put two pine logs from a pile that have been bored into by something – wood-borer beetles or ants – on the ground so he can explore those next time he comes back.” (East Gwillimbury area, Ontario)
8 thoughts on “A GREAT PILEATED WOODPECKER STORY!”
A couple of years ago there were 3 pileated woodpeckers on my mailbox post. I have a photo of 2 of them on the post. They destroyed it trying to get to the carpenter bee larvae in the post.
jdkelly59,
That is a fascinating story. I am amazed that you saw something like this. This is the type of information that rarely shows up in a book or magazine article. Thanks for sharing it.
Love your blog! Thanks for doing it. Definitely a mixed blessing to have a Pileated interested in your frames/siding. Cool to see them, but they can open up holes to let in carpenter bees, bats, squirrels etc. Keep an eye on it! They are great birds and we see them often here in Sky Valley GA.
Thanks for sharing your observations. You are correct, they can do damage to property while helping control insects that damage to our homes and helping providing feeding opportunities for other critters. The more we learn about nature, the more we realize how so many things are interconnected.
I have never heard of anything like this. Fantastic! I hope I have the chance to see something like this in the future. Thanks for sharing with me and others.
A couple of years ago there were 3 pileated woodpeckers on my mailbox post. I have a photo of 2 of them on the post. They destroyed it trying to get to the carpenter bee larvae in the post.
jdkelly59,
That is a fascinating story. I am amazed that you saw something like this. This is the type of information that rarely shows up in a book or magazine article. Thanks for sharing it.
Love your blog! Thanks for doing it. Definitely a mixed blessing to have a Pileated interested in your frames/siding. Cool to see them, but they can open up holes to let in carpenter bees, bats, squirrels etc. Keep an eye on it! They are great birds and we see them often here in Sky Valley GA.
Thanks for sharing your observations. You are correct, they can do damage to property while helping control insects that damage to our homes and helping providing feeding opportunities for other critters. The more we learn about nature, the more we realize how so many things are interconnected.
I have had a female with 2 fledglings visiting twice a day my suet and bird bath.
I have never heard of anything like this. Fantastic! I hope I have the chance to see something like this in the future. Thanks for sharing with me and others.
That’s very interesting, Terry.
I am glad you liked the post. It is amazing what folks see never report. We all benefit when people share their fascinating stories.