This is a short and sad story about the demise of a Red-headed Woodpecker nesting tree at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.
Red-headed Woodpecker perched above of their nesting cavity – Canon R7, handheld, f11, 1/640, ISO 640, +0.3 EV, Canon RF 800mm, natural light
In late March, I wrote about how the Red-headed Woodpecker nesting season was underway. The nesting tree, located close to the road, was ideally located to catch soft morning light, which I was eager to photograph.
I was looking forward to capturing the woodpeckers and, hopefully, their young as well.
The last time I saw the nesting tree was on April 13th. After that, I didn’t visit the refuge for about a week due to bad weather, including strong winds and heavy rain.
As soon as it cleared, my dear friend Steve Creek and I headed to the refuge. That was Monday.
We weren’t prepared for what we found at the refuge. The nesting tree was no longer standing; it had fallen onto the soggy ground. Apparently, the strong winds had knocked the dead tree, with its nesting cavity, down.
By the time the nesting tree was blown down, the woodpeckers should have had eggs inside. Just thinking about the loss of the birds hit hard. I’m not sure if the Red-headed Woodpeckers will attempt to renest.
It takes a lot of effort to excavate those nesting cavities, so the loss of the tree is even harder to process.
It also reminded me of a time long ago now when I witnessed the loss of a what I called the magical sapsucker nesting tree in Idaho, although that wasn’t caused by nature.
Someone chopped that tree down, and I saw the aftermath. It had nesting Northern Flickers, Williamson’s Sapsuckers, and Northern House Wrens all sharing the same tree.
Nesting birds struggle. A lot. It’s often a harsh reality, but it’s part of the cycle of life. Their perseverance through challenges is both humbling and inspiring.
Still, life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Red-headed Woodpecker photos plus facts and information about this species.
Oh, that’s heartbreaking. Every time.
That Red-headed Woodpecker is a truly a handsome bird. Hopefully, he finds another nesting area soon and can give rise to some beautiful kids. At times Mother Nature can be a real Dragon Lady. Thanks Mia.
As if birds didn’t face enough challenges already…
I am so sorry it blew down. I was upset at the news last night, they are doing phragmite burns in the WMAs. Its too damn late in the season, birds will be nesting! They did this mitigation late last year too. It needs to be done in late winter after duck hunt.
April, I am furious just reading about the burns on the WMAs right now. You are exactly correct, this should have been burned months ago not during the nesting season.
I have seen trees blown over by strong winds with nesting birds in them. I have no idea if they nested again. Too sad.