From what I am reading, one of the types of powdery mildew actually prefers hot and dry conditions and hates to get wet. This year would be the perfect conditions, since it never rains. http://westernfarmpress.com/powdery-mildew-melons "P. xanthii prefers dry conditions, with relative humidity of 50 percent to 90 percent for spore production. Although relative humidity doesn�t often reach those levels consistently in the desert, dense foliage and irrigation may create microclimates that favor powdery mildew development. However, presence of water on the plant surface may wash off and/or inhibit the germination of the fungal spores. P. xanthii grows on the outside of leaves, first appearing as a small white growth, eventually becoming a layer of white fluffy mycelium and spores on the upper or lower side of leaves. P. xanthii does not grow systemically (able to spread through the inside of the entire plant), instead this fungus prefers to produce mycelium on the outer surface, and penetrate the leaves with specialized feeding cells called haustoria. The fungus will then produce spores in the absence of free water; spore production gives the leaves the characteristic powdery appearance. The spores are spread to new infection sites by wind. After the fungus has extracted nutrients, the plant cells die, causing the leaves to become brown and papery. Fruit produced by the plant may accumulate less sugar, have reduced yield, and shortened production times."

Claysmom, perhaps your son would be interested in making his property a Certified Wildlife Habitat? This is easier than most people might think. You just need to provide food, shelter and water for various types of animals. You can Google it and read all about the requirements online, and even print out an application for the official certification. Nicki's city yard is certified, so even those without rural property can qualify. I encourage everyone who is interested to check it out. (If I can managed to stay on the computer long enough, I'll see if I can find the link, but I'm having some unanticipated difficulties from my foot surgery, and won't be here very long.) Glad you guys enjoyed seeing this old post pop up again. I do love these birds, and am happy it was of interest to you. Marcia

Certainly must be exciting. We've seen them a handful of times in various places in PA, but mostly in deep woods and forests in the northern tier counties. We've never seen a pair, though, only solitary birds. It would be really something if they established a nest on your property, wouldn't it. I've never heard a pileated's call, in fact I thought they were more or less mute, with their drumming being their main mode of territorial communication. So your observation is illuminating to me. We've found that we could get real close to these birds during several of our encounters with them. I can see how their movements would appear agitated, but comparing them with observations of other woodpecker species, I think their jerky and erratic movements, especially when foraging on tree trunks, are pretty characteristic of woodpeckers in general. Somehow I have always had the impression that woodpeckers are among the dimwits of the bird world. I can't explain why this seems so to me, exactly, but maybe it's because they seem so oblivious to my presence even when I have stood very near to them. I also have this notion that any creature that finds its sustenance by beating its head against oak and other hardwoods all day must have evolved in conjunction with a trend toward a minimal number of brain cells. I don't mean to diminish your admiration for the pileated by my less flattering observations - they just arose due to my questionable sense of humor. In fact, a pileated siting is a breathtaking occurence, in my opinion. There's something so uncanny in their physical appearance and bearing, and I always find myself wondering "How can this fantastic creature" - they do bring pteridactyls to mind, don't they? - "be inhabiting the twentieth millenium instead of prehistory?" Hope you see 'em again. By the way, what kind of habitat is around your property? Do you have a lot of old established trees or extensive woodlands? These are the only habitats in which I've ever seen them, and my sitings have always occurred well north of Bucks County. cranebill

i had five fledgling lewis's woodpeckers this spring and when the parents brought them to the feeders the young ones tried every feeder i had including the nyjer and the necter feeders and the jelly dishes. but it did not take them long to pick their favorites most of them prefer the nuts and sunflower seeds and the cracked corn and suet blocks. but there are a couple that still eat the grape jelly and drink the sugar water and love to peck on watermelon rinds. but none of them did more than try the nyjer sock.