The Downy Woodpecker, picoides pubescens and the Red-bellied Woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus are featured in my last installment of ‘A Bestiary’ over at Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens.
Downy Woodpeckers are friends to farmers and gardeners in that they enjoy dining on apple borers, tent caterpillars and more unwelcome insects.
These smaller woodpeckers are often seen at bird feeders.
Since I have stopped feeding the birds via bird feeders I rarely see the Downy Woodpeckers . . . so though they may be common it is always a treat to see them.
My first sighting ever at Flower Hill Farm . . . a Red-bellied Woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus was too far away to get a good shot, but I was very excited to see this beautiful woodpecker in our Rock Maple tree outside the old farmhouse. You can see more photos and information about these birds at the link above.
It seems that spring is finally here in Western Massachusetts . . . hundreds of geese are moving through, snowdrops are up and I have sighted my first Mourning Cloak. The Phoebe has returned too!
Happy Spring to everyone!
Carol Duke
Carol Duke is an artist and farmer who has worked with the land on a Western Massachusetts hillside for over thirty years. During this time her land has evolved into a diverse wildlife habitat. Carol features the flora and fauna that live and visit her farm on her blog http://flowerhillfarm.blogspot.com/ As vital wildlife habitats are destroyed daily, Carol hopes to inspire others to garden for wildlife, while becoming activists for wild places the world over. Her nature photography has appeared in magazines, books and newspapers.
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