Black-backed Woodpecker

 December 29, 2021

There were reports of this northern woodpecker at Constance Bay, so we decided to try for it.

When we arrived, there were lots of other birders also looking, most having reported seeing it.  We followed the recommended trail, and came to a place where others were looking, but not seeing it.  Bill bushwhacked over to the next road and spied a couple of people way down.  With his bins, he could see that they were taking photos. Let's go.  Sure enough, the target was there, unconcerned about the  photographers.  It stayed in the same tree for 15 minutes, then flew to another tree close by and began working at a much lower level.

Video links

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TcycAKhDkigcf5FqbLDM5KS5EiISRzNC/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p1GkUjiDaJElAqVZZQhH5vtbKDV2nEMa/view?usp=sharing

A Hairy Woodpecker also came by.

Many people had also seen the Red-headed Woodpecker from Ritchie Street, so we walked over to look for it, soon joined by others.  Bill Spotted it high in the trees, but it soon departed.  We stopped along Constance Bay Road to look for Short-eared Owls, and immediately saw one fly across the road.  We saw a couple more far in the distance, hunting over the fields.   What a productive outing!