A Wily Young Woodpecker…
Dropping in, its wings flecked with spots of white,
The juvenile clung to a feeder and its gnarled claws
Tensed as it jabbed with an eager, sharp bill
At sunflower hearts which spilled and flew
Like chaff. Its torso arched for balance,
Reminiscent of a wasp’s but without the sting
And it proceeded to feed lustily, hanging and oblivious…
Turning away, the woodpecker flew at and clung tight
To the thick trunk of a conifer and there did pause,
Its claws on sticky sap, perched silent and still
Before twisting away from the bark’s hidden glue
Onto a bird bath, from which it drank with exuberance,
Checking for predators, eyes alert and twitchy of wing,
Its scarlet head prominent, its independence vainglorious…
Pete Ray
2nd July 2024…
The red head revealed the great spotted woodpecker to be a juvenile.
It has visited the garden for three days running (June 30th, July 1st & 2nd) and has fed well!
A lovely bird…
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