Tuesday, March 15, 2011

The value of old Woodpecker cavities


This cavity in a telephone pole near my home in Utley, Texas is about 20 years old. In that time it has hosted breeding Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Eastern Bluebirds, Great Crested Flycatchers and the hybrid form of Tufted X Black-crested Titmouse called Dixon's Titmouse. This year the titmice once again have rented it after last year's Bluebirds, which seemed to have suffered a nest failure.

I have once seen a Texas Rat Snake half in and half out of the cavity. They can climb anything they can get a grip on.

Such holes are extremely important to your local cavity nesters and I highly encourage you to safeguard them. Consider them an asset. This hole is almost big enough now to host a roosting Screech Owl.
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