Woodpeckers: Roost #1   (in Bluebird box #3)
 Photos by John C in Dickerson, MD 2002
Feeder Cam | Roost #1 Cam | Roost #2 Cam | (Cam status)

ABOVE, LEFT: Just before or on Dec 11, 2002, the 1 1/2" inch entrance was enlarged to a 2 1/4" width. I could see individual peck marks on it. Entrance hole wood pieces were on the snow under the box, which indicate this activity was recently occurring. ABOVE, CENTER: Photo of a Red-bellied Woodpecker, which is the bird I originally suspected was roosting here. It did not like the flashlight and went back down from the entrance when I turned it off and moved away. Photo taken at about 7 PM, Dec 13, 2002. ABOVE, RIGHT: The day I noticed this activity, the anti-Blowfly larvae floor mesh was removed and a wooden insert was added to cover the floor vents to keep the box warmer. Aspen tree wood shavings were added on Dec 11 as roost bedding material. The soffit vent on the windy northest side was blocked on Dec 14.

My first guess was that a Red-bellied Woodpecker was customizing and using this box. This was based on the size of the droppings in the box, the enlargement of the entrance, and that Red-bellied Woodpeckers are often seen near the box. This was confirmed 2 days later. Since it didn't have much red color on the front of its head, it is either a female or a young one. I don't mind the box damage which can be repaired easily. Woodpeckers are very beneficial because they create the natural homes for lots of other cavity-nesting birds...including Bluebirds.