Northern Flicker

RBG Arboretum, Hamilton. ON. January 27^th. 2021. A steady snowfall took up most of yesterday and was revealed this morning as two- or three-inches worth lying where it touched down and outlining every branch, stalk and stem. I walked these lakeside trails this morning mostly for the exercise but soon it became more for the magic. I ventured down to the frozen water’s edge noting that the gravel shore was glazed with ice. Stepping tentatively (I thought) my feet slid out from under me and I landed gracelessly on the body’s most cushiony muscle. No damage done to me, my camera or binoculars, just a bit of snow on lenses and a reminder to stick to the trails.

Just ahead I could see some fluttering bird activity, another morning walker had caught the attention of many Black-capped Chickadees, Dark-eyed Juncos and American Tree Sparrows, I think they were hoping she had brought them some food but soon realised she hadn’t so turned their attention to me. I wasn’t bringing food either but a stick clenched in my fist looked suspicious enough to them that half a dozen chickadees took turns taste testing it.

As they checked, this busy Red-bellied Woodpecker flicked ice and snow from a downed log.  While all very enchanting from my point of view, it was probably all a mission of urgency from theirs.

A little further along, the trees were lively with dozens, perhaps hundreds, of American Robins, all chuckling or singing softly. I watched them all around me and followed one as it flew to a snowy branch where,  once I got my binoculars on it, I noticed that it wasn’t a robin at all, but a Northern Flicker (masthead photo); a big and welcome surprise because flickers are few and far between in winter months, most left for warmer places three months ago. Enough of a welcome surprise to make it My Bird of the Day.

So, two nice woodpeckers so far, the red-bellied, the flicker, then not very far along, a Downy Woodpecker accompanied by this Red-breasted Nuthatch on a charm-offensive. In this photo it was directly overhead and so close that I wasn’t sure a photo was possible.