Friday, August 15, 2014

A Red-Headed Woodpecker Family: Part I

A short distance east of Harns Marsh Preserve is a habitat ideal for observation of Red-headed Woodpecker and other bird species.


The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

This venue was brought to my attention by local Fort Myers wildlife enthusiast, Tom Obrock. It was a treat to visit this place with the company of visiting Michigan birder, Hemant Kishan. Hemant and I arrived shortly after sunrise after realizing we were on the wrong side of the 12th Street canal.


The juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.


The juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.


The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.


The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.


The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.


The juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

The snags in the relatively small undeveloped area of land in the neighborhood of Joel are an ideal environment for a resplendent family of Red-headed Woodpeckers that is conservatively noted at seven individuals. My report to eBird had the number of birds reported questioned as too many.


The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.


The juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.


The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.


The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.


The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.


The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

With that noted, I will question information available at eBird. While this first article reflects a relative few images of birds observed on 8 August 2014, the followup visit on 11 August substantiated and improved on observations made.


The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.


The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.


The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.


The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.


The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.


The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

There was mating or attempted such behavior of Red-headed Woodpeckers observed on several occasions on the 8th. A pair of Mourning Dove were "in the mood" as well. It was unexpected to observe a Northern Flicker which is one of my favorite woodland birds.


The White-winged Dove above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.


The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.


The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.


The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.


The Northern Mockingbird above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.


The Red-bellied Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

This venue is a must stop in the early morning if you are in the area with much more offered in the next edition of this story.


The Northern Flicker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

Please also see A Red-headed Woodpecker Family: Part II

4 comments:

  1. As always - great capture! Are you at liberty to share the location? Thanks.

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    1. Please see your email for the location of this delicate habitat.

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  2. Fantastic colored bird the red-headed woodpecker, also the juv. Great pictures.
    I also love the last two photos of the Red-bellied woodpecker and the Northern flicker!

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    1. Thank you, Maria. I read today that "weird" weather over the Gulf of Mexico is causing unexpected warbler activity along the coast which might explain why I heard Tufted Titmouse at this venue on the 11th. This was much earlier in the season than I have observed the species before.

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