Dateline: Jan. 23, 2007
Under Construction
Can you see that red-headed guy in the photo there? Last week we kept hearing this rapping and knew that one of our frequent woodpeckers must be busy somewhere, but it wasn't until E pointed him out on our BLUEBIRD house that we realized the serious nature of his work!
He is terrific to watch. He hammers and hammers and then pokes his head in to see if he will fit inside. A bluebird house is built specifically with a smaller hole to keep larger birds from nesting in there. Bluebirds aren't terribly aggressive, so they often get bullied from their nests if the holes don't protect them from the larger birds.
Now, bluebirds are my favorite birds and so, P and E built this and another just like it for me for Christmas 2005. But, alas, I have still had no bluebirds. I know conditions need to be rather meadow-like to attract them. We do have a nice-sized yard, so I was hoping to get a few, but who knows? Sometimes, it takes a couple of years for the birds to find the houses. While I have heard stories of bluebirds being here on the Gulf Coast of Florida, I have yet to see any.
So, I have not been too disappointed to see this red-bellied woodpecker hard at work widening the hole for what we hope will be a little woodpecker family.
I still have the other bluebird house with the right sized hole. Hopefully we'll have some babies this spring! Stay tuned!
He is terrific to watch. He hammers and hammers and then pokes his head in to see if he will fit inside. A bluebird house is built specifically with a smaller hole to keep larger birds from nesting in there. Bluebirds aren't terribly aggressive, so they often get bullied from their nests if the holes don't protect them from the larger birds.
Now, bluebirds are my favorite birds and so, P and E built this and another just like it for me for Christmas 2005. But, alas, I have still had no bluebirds. I know conditions need to be rather meadow-like to attract them. We do have a nice-sized yard, so I was hoping to get a few, but who knows? Sometimes, it takes a couple of years for the birds to find the houses. While I have heard stories of bluebirds being here on the Gulf Coast of Florida, I have yet to see any.
So, I have not been too disappointed to see this red-bellied woodpecker hard at work widening the hole for what we hope will be a little woodpecker family.
I still have the other bluebird house with the right sized hole. Hopefully we'll have some babies this spring! Stay tuned!
Comments
Jan. 23, 2007 - I see him!
Posted by HarmonyArtMom
Great job getting him in the photo! I can never get it right. I think I need a different sort of lens on my camera or something....
Barb
Harmony Art Mom
Jan. 24, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Kelli
Oh, how fun! I just love woodpeckers! You'll have to keep us updated if you see any babies in the spring. :0)
Kelli
www.kellishouse.blogspot.com