PILEATED WOODPECKERS

OVERCAST WITH SNOW ON THE WAY

NEIGHBORHOOD PILEATED WOODPECKER

Friday,  9:00 AM.  19 degrees F at the ferry dock, 17 on the back porch.  Wind SSW, calm with light gusts.  The sky has a high overcast, the humidity is 72% and the barometer stands at 30.16" and is falling, predicting snow later today.  Fresh snow will be a boon to the sled dog races this weekend, and the temperature should be suitable,  even if a bit too warm.
   The pileated woodpeckers, the largest of our woodpeckers, are common in Bayfield and at least some stay the winter, as I see them often.  They are becoming quite active now.  I hear their calls frequently and they can often be seen flying, very large birds with a fast wingbeat and a undulating flight pattern.
   There is a lot of drumming on telephone poles and dead trees now, and I assume the males are beginning to stake out their spring territories.  It is hard to get a good photo of the big birds as they are quite wary, and always move around to the opposite side of the trunk or post they are perched on when one is trying to take their photo.