Old Friend

[flipper]

I remember when the redheaded woodpeckers were quite common in my area of southern MN. Now it is rare for me to see one. The last couple days I have been watching one on one of my apple trees, pecking at the stump and at some of the windfall apples.

[MN Shutterbug]

I remember those days, also. Lucky you to be able to observe one for a couple days. Now that I've acquired permission to access a few wooded acres near where I saw the juvenile, I'm hoping to find the parents. I just need to get out there.

[Dotch]

I was trying to remember who had mentioned they'd seen a juvenile red-headed. There was one at our place yesterday in the drizzle, picking up sunflower seeds under the feeder. There has been an occasional adult off and on at the feeders this year and usually some on the oaks at the neighbor's where we pasture some ewes. Seems like we're seeing red-headed's more frequently. Don't know if it's due to the incidence of oak wilt, more old trees dying off in general or none of the above.

[MN Shutterbug]

Got out there and all I saw again was the juvie on the telephone pole. I think he's been abandoned.