Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2011 14:00:08 GMT -8
Hi, everyone.
The Acorn Woodpecker was seen once this morning from Fore Road where it crosses the RR, as it flew above the orchard and then perched briefly atop a tree in the orchard, and it was also seen several times from several points on Fore Road along the end of the hazelnut orchard as it moved back and forth (flying low) between various rows of nut trees or perched briefly low in the trees to crack and eat nuts.
Perhaps the former strategy might be more effective if only one or two observers are there (a scope helps), and the latter approach might be more likely to be successful if there are enough people to spread out and watch the open spaces between the rows of trees.
Stan Olson
Abbotsford
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Post by ed on Jan 3, 2011 17:50:49 GMT -8
The Acorn Woodpecker was easily seen at 2:30 this afternoon. My wife and I drove up and were surprised by this beautiful bird as we were able to watch it fly from tree to tree and to the ground for a good 25 minutes. It was in the corner nearest the highway and Fore Rd.
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Post by oldfulica on Jan 3, 2011 18:28:24 GMT -8
The Acorn Woodpecker was easily seen at 2:30 this afternoon. My wife and I drove up and were surprised by this beautiful bird as we were able to watch it fly from tree to tree and to the ground for a good 25 minutes. It was in the corner nearest the highway and Fore Rd. Dian and I were there at 1;30. I got a glimpse in almost the same spot and then lost it. We left at 2:00 without seeing it again.. |
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Post by Chris on Jan 4, 2011 13:00:59 GMT -8
Gord saw the Acorn Woodpecker this morning.
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Post by kenpossum on Jan 4, 2011 16:13:36 GMT -8
What an elusive bird! Thanks to Stan pointing me in the right direction, I pulled off a couple of 'habitat' shots.   I'm not complaining, as I feel very fortunate to get what I got. Maybe if I had some real acorns in my hand I could have induced her to come closer. Oh well, that day she was the elusive "Hazelnut" woodpecker, an elusive northern cousin of the acorn woodpecker. Question - this was the 6th or 8th sighting of this species in BC? I heard the answer on Monday, but it left my brain too soon. |
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Post by Gord on Jan 4, 2011 17:03:21 GMT -8
Ken, not certain how many for BC but it cant be much more than 8.
Around here, there is this one, one John Vooys had in Manning Park last year and the one in Princeton, also last year, are the most recent.
Good job getting a picture of it. Today I stopped with sandwich in hand for a look. I was lucky as it was right at the edge of the trees by the road as I drove in before moving in about six rows. Such a pretty little bird! I happily share lunch with any species of bird (sometimes literally if Im not careful and Grey Jays are about) but this one certainly is special.
It was nice to see Len, Trudi and her friends (great to meet you to put a face the the name behind the forum and camera!) and Dale as well as a couple from Vancouver.
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Post by oldfulica on Jan 4, 2011 18:22:46 GMT -8
I heard the Princeton bird was the 4th for BC. So this one would be the 5th or 6th depending on when John saw his (before or after Princeton).
Birds of BC doesn't even carry any records for the Acorn Woodpecker up to about 1997? Vancouver Natural History society hasn't updated their records for a while and there last record was for 1 in 1996. (in Maple Ridge)
Efauna (a usually reliable source) doesn't have any written account for this bird although it has a few pictures of the Princeton bird.
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Post by oldfulica on Jan 4, 2011 18:42:25 GMT -8
I returned to the Acorn site today and found Trudi and her friends still there after 3 hours. Wow! What perseverance. They had the Woodpecker though, at about 1PM. Here is a shot right out of the camera;  And the same picture cropped and enhanced;  Nice to have a lot of pixels to work with. It flew high into the tall cottonwoods west of the tracks . I watched it for about 10 minutes hoping it would fly back to the orchard and maybe get a good flight shot, but it was just sitting tight. I left about 2 pm. |
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Post by wes on Jan 4, 2011 20:07:21 GMT -8
Great shot, Len. I wish I had gotten this close.
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Post by Gord on Jan 4, 2011 21:08:35 GMT -8
Len, that might be the best shot yet of this guy. Well done.
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Post by oldfulica on Jan 5, 2011 7:51:06 GMT -8
Thanks Wes. I have been out there many times now and like you, I just can't seem to get a good opportunity. I should mention someone was walking around the orchard yesterday with a Doberman. He stayed at the back near the buildings but made his presence known by standing on the road.
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Post by oldfulica on Jan 5, 2011 7:53:22 GMT -8
Len, that might be the best shot yet of this guy. Well done. Thanks Gord. I am still not satisfied. Luckily I live close so I will try again. |
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