A couple days ago I was checking on the RS hawk nest when I spotted a Red-bellied woodpecker exiting a new nest hole that I hadn't noticed before. He then kept dipping in and backing out with a beakful of woodchips. The next morning I was unable to find it again. I waited til the afternoon when the light was the same as when I first saw it and still no luck. So frustrating because it was so obvious. I'm not giving up though.
Early afternoon I had my scope set up to observe and photograph the hawk's nest when I noticed some movement in a nearby snag. Yep, it was another male Red-bellied excavating. I watched for over an hour.
He was only able to dip his body halfway in. He was still at it when I walked my dog at 5:30. He'd made great progress because only the tip of his tail showed when he dipped in. I had no idea they could keep it up so long.
At one point the female appeared briefly, as if to make sure her mate was not slacking off. Funny.
