Flicker Nesting Hole at the Guild Inn: May 14, 2022

Northern Flickers are large woodpeckers measuring over 12 inches in length. Their song – flicka-flicka-flicka-flicka can last up to 15 seconds and makes it easy to know when one is nearby. Males have what looks like a black mustache:

Northern Flicker (male)

and females do not:

Northern Flicker (female)

They nest in holes in trees which are frequently usurped by Starlings. Flickers have been known to throw out the usurpers and by laying many eggs they maintain their population.

We had a good look at Flickers in a nest hole today.

Northern Flicker (male)
Northern Flicker (male)

A few years ago, I got these photos of a Dad feeding his son:

Northern Flickers (father and son)
Northern Flickers (father and son)
Northern Flickers (father and son)
Northern Flickers (father and son)
Northern Flickers (father and son)
Northern Flickers (father and son)

Northern Flickers (father and son)

Other birds:

American Redstart (male)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (male)
Trumpeter Swan
Baltimore Oriole (male)
Eastern Kingbird
Mourning Dove
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Gray Catbird
House Sparrow (male)
Red-eyed Vireo
Red-winged Blackbird (male)
Mourning Dove
Brown-headed Cowbird (male)
Red-headed Woodpecker
Yellow Warbler (male)

The Guild Inn is a great location for deer:

Whitetail Deer
Whitetail Deer
Whitetail Deer

Today’s groups:

8 am:

11:30 am

NATURE POETRY

Would that thou could’st last for aye,
Merry, ever-merry May!
Made of sun-gleams, shade and showers,
Bursting buds, and breathing flowers.            – William D. Gallagher (1808–94)

Miles Hearn


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