Monday, April 14, 2008 - Pileated Woodpecker!
This morning I went for a pleasant walk along the creek near my house to look for birds. As I was walking along I saw all the usual suspects, but one bird there was different, very different. As I made my way into a small area of trees I saw a huge, crow sized bird fly by, that had large white and black wings. The bird was huge and right then I knew that something good had shown up in my hometown. On instinct I rushed over to see the bird and saw it fly from wherever it was perched to a different location. Then I knew it was a Pileated Woodpecker! After seeing the red crest and white and black wings I knew that's what he was. I went over and found him sitting on the side of a tree and then finially confirmed what it was. He was such a big and beautiful bird to say the least. I couldn't believe one of these would show up here in western Iowa out of there usual range and in such a small area of habitat. I stood there in awe and finially snapped out of it and as soon as I did I ran home to alert the birders of my find as well as to not scare the bird away. As soon as I got back I called every birder I could think of and e-mailed all the birders I knew. At about three o'clock the first birder arrived to see it. We then went down to the creek and I showed him where I saw the bird at. We looked and looked and couldn't find him and were starting to doub't we would see him. A second birder showed up and also helped us look. A little while after that we heard the bird call from in the trees and we spotted him flying north and then saw him fly into the trees at a cattle farm up north of where we were. Despite the effort of nine birders, the bird could not be refound after that. This bird represents the first record for the county as well as one of the very few western Iowa records. This bird was a new one for me boosting my life list up to 255, only 45 more till I get 300. Awesome bird and an awesome day!
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Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - Pileated Woodpecker |
| Posted by Linda T. |
| I'm a friend of Mary's in Emmet County...you missed a double pleasure--The Pileated Woodpecker is across the ravine to the north of her place. Her little friend came to visit us yesterday--we felt priviledged--but on the other hand, we have a hungry hawk in our woods--so just as soon that little one stay at Mary's. The pileated is around the area--used to show up only on Sunday Mornings, he isn't quite as regular now. A few years back we had two babes for a short while. But, I'm glad you have at least one near your creek now!!! They are so fun to watch! Crazy birds! |
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Thursday, April 17, 2008 - RE: Pileated Woodpecker |
| Posted by Tuckerman |
Linda, thanks for posting. When I was watching the oriole up at Mary's place she was telling me and my birding friends about the woodpeckers. Of course I wanted to go look for them especially since I have never seen one before, but we couldn't because we had to leave. I was sort of bummed out about missing that bird, and knew I would have to make a trip somewhere else (far away) in Iowa other than my hometown to see the Pileated Woodpeckers, since they are accidental where I live. I was quite amazed to find it. Beautiful bird and amazing find for us western Iowa folks!
Edited by Tuckerman on Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 9:03 PM |
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