A 'Lifer' Today

16 years ago

Today it was snowing pretty steadily here in Boston when I looked out and saw a hairy woodpecker for the first time. I had put out fresh suet. For me, new at backyard birding, this was a big deal. I had wondered whether I would know a hairy if I ever saw one (we have several downies here every day). It was so exciting. I got several pretty good pictures. And it was on my birthday. What a great present!

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Comments (5)

claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
16 years ago
Happy Birthday! I remember the first time I saw a Hairy Woodpecker - my first thought was "Man, that's a honking big downie!"

It's been raining all day here in Plymouth. Maybe that's why I only saw a downie (it's not my birthday either).

Claire
kendra2003
16 years ago
Congratulation on seeing your first Hairy, and Happy Birthday too! I also wondered how easy it would be to tell the difference between them and the Downies. This is the first year I've seen Hairies at my suet feeders. They really are huge next to the Downies. And they take no bullying from the Blue Jays like the Downies do. Like you, I was so excited when I saw my first one. It really is cool to see a new bird you haven't seen before. Unlike you, I have not been able to get a decent picture yet. Sometimes one will come to the suet feeder on my deck which should give me a good place to take a picture from. But every time I get my camera, he flies away. I keep trying to get a picture of him next to the Downies on the tree, but so far I have been unsuccessful.
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Those two are on my "possibles" list, thank you! It has so many indications of either one. Really looks more like the Fox, but is small like the Song. Just watched it fly, and it has a woodpecker-type movement. My National Geographic bird book says the Song pumps it's tail in flight. Also, the Fox would be quite out of it's winter range, but that's certainly not unheard of. I'm leaning toward the Song sparrow. Hope I can get a better look at it's head today.
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Rachel, that's what I was thinking about my own ID capability: when walking this stretch of beach (which I have off and on for over 24 years now), I'd seen 'small peeps' but wasn't positive of their ID. My walks here only a few times have included binoculars; I generally just walk the seven mile stretch at Ten Mile Beach in order to think. . . :) kendra: thank you. Glad you like the shot. There are more at the MendoBirds Groups list at that 'other word for Yippee!' site ;)
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rachel_frome_ky
16 years ago
Wow! I only see them in the woods, where they sound the alarm and depart suddenly whenever they notice me.
harryshoe zone6 eastern Pennsylvania
16 years ago
Hairy Woodpeckers are supposed to be common, but I rarely see them. My suet gets regular visits from Downies, Redbellies and Sapsuckers. Once or twice a year a Hairy will visit.
donald lucius
16 years ago
i live in the pinyon juniper and oak brush elevation about 6800 foot and never get the hairy's here but my sister lives about 20 minutes away in the pine and fir trees about 8300 foot elevation and she sent a picture the other day of a large male hairy on her feeder. I do get downeys and flickers lewis's and acorn woodpeckers.

A 'Lifer' Today

Comments (5)

claireplymouth z6b coastal MA

kendra2003

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