Pileated Woodpecker - Lambton Woods

[chudymoose]

I'm a frequent visitor to James Garden-Lambton Woods. In last 3 years I visited that place at least 100 times.
Today was my lucky day.
First time I was able to see Pileated Woodpecker.
It was just there for a half of a minute, but I was able to shoot 3 pictures and watch this magnificent bird for a while.
Then, out of a sudden - it left to the other side of the Humber River toward the golf course trees.
What a magnificent bird.
Just yesterday I searched this website -  http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/search/ac
and listen to the Pileated Woodpecker sound.
That helped me a lot today. The massive sound of PW hitting the tree was an alarm for my ears.  
I followed the sound and after a minute or so I located this nice bird on the tree.
There were about 10 people around, but just two guys showed some interest and watched this woodpecker with me.
Hope to see this not ordinary bird tomorrow.

[lovemypt]

Nice find....there are a quite a few around the city but not as common as other birds normally seen. Always a great sight to see and special bonus if you are able to get a few shots

Dave

[feathered]

I can confirm two pair-bonded Pileateds! I watched two for the better part of the late morning/early afternoon flying around the woods together calling, drumming on the same tree, and inspecting tree cavities. I also observed some brief courtship and allopreening. I will post some pictures shortly but the lighting was not the best.

[chudymoose]

Today I wasn't so lucky as yesterday.
I visited Lambton about 3pm. I heard PW calling on the east side of Humber, but it didn't show up on the west side.
Instead, I saw a pair of redbellieds.
Better then nothing.

[feathered]

Still around as of this morning, drumming and hanging out on both sides of the Humber. The female was feeding on a rotten log with a squirrel!

[chudymoose]

Sunday. About 10.30 am.
A pair of Pileated Woodpeckers crossed the river an landed on the trees on the west side.
They stay for about 30 minutes mainly on 2 trees.
One started to clean an old nest in the trunk of the tree, than changed the point of interest, and few to another tree.
This time a lot of people started to pay attentions and take the pictures, some - with very good equipment.
Woodpeckers made a lot of noise, knocking the wood and also making some characteristic calls.
The place of sighting is: south from parking lot, about 400 meters at the point where the asphalt path running closest to Humber River and going down toward little opening. :shock: (Three wooden steps on the right side.)
A new pictures of PWs will be posted shortly at Bird Photo Corner.

[mr.sharp-photo]

Sunday. About 10.30 am.
A pair of Pileated Woodpeckers crossed the river an landed on the trees on the west side.
They stay for about 30 minutes mainly on 2 trees.
One started to clean an old nest in the trunk of the tree, than changed the point of interest, and few to another tree.
This time a lot of people started to pay attentions and take the pictures, some - with very good equipment.
Woodpeckers made a lot of noise, knocking the wood and also making some characteristic calls.
The place of sighting is: south from parking lot, about 400 meters at the point where the asphalt path running closest to Humber River and going down toward little opening. :shock: (Three wooden steps on the right side.)
A new pictures of PWs will be posted shortly at Bird Photo Corner.

its funny. i got there at 11:15. saw nothing, heard nothing. didn't look on the east side of the river.
(i don't really care, since it was awesome outside today)

[chudymoose]

Sorry mr.sharp-photo.
I hope next time you will have more luck.
Because it really must be luck which decided about meeting that bird or go emptyhanded.
Next week looks promising for photographers. Nice, sunny weather. Very good conditions.
Good luck then.