March 7, 2005
This morning, I stumbled upon recent pileated woodpecker activity. I was walking along the Kit Trail and saw new holes chiseled out of a bird cherry (Prunus avium). There were fresh wood chips laying on top of the snow. I walked this trail on Thursday (03/03/05) and didn't see these holes. So, the woodpecker(s) were working on this tree over the weekend. My tracks from Thursday, were the most recent tracks on the trail.
This tree is right beside the trail, so it is easy to find. The holes reveal the galleries of carpenter ants or other insects and are only a few feet off of the ground.
So, a pileated woodpecker was working and feeding vigorously on a tree. It happened some time during the weekend. It was right beside the trail (probably in view of the benches along the Main Trail). Although we missed witnessing the event, we can go to the place and see the fresh sign--and know that perhaps on our next visit to Mariton, we will see the woodpecker at work.
