With humidity and temperature in the 90s there is a rush of snowbirds heading north to escape the hot summer weather. No, these are not the type of birds with feathers, these have no wings and fly in formation in RVs towing vehicles. The only rush I am doing is getting the coffee maker going before the Editor arises, so we can enjoy the coming day with a freshly brewed cup of joe. Then it is off to see the “grand-peckers” at the end of the driveway, lil Pete and Polly.

Each day brings anticipation and anxiety. If I don’t see both of them I begin to worry at times. Chipper and JoJo are watchful parents. If another bird lands near they are quick to chase them away. Polly is a real pig at times, she seems to get the most food and is always hogging the opening. Should have named her Miss Piggy. Poor lil Pete often has to wait till seconds come along. And indeed, they do. Baby birds grow so fast, in just two days’ time you can hardly recognize them from the days before. On 28 May I observed the two hatchlings getting fed with some berries of some sort. It rained the next day and on the 30th was the last I saw the siblings. The next day Polly was nowhere to be seen. I am pretty confident she fledged as she was fully feathered and nearly as big as the adults. Pete then seemed reluctant to leave at first. Both parents would call from nearby trees and branches trying to entice Pete out of his secure dwelling he called home. He just wanted more food. Unlike Eagles and owls, I did not observe any branching (IE hopping from branch to branch and testing wings). In a few days, he too was gone.

As I passed my recent milestone to Medicare age, Pete and Polly passed to fully fledged Pileated Woodpeckers. JoJo and Chipper did their God given duty and another generation came forth. Hope you enjoyed the show. Blessings.

Reflections on Broward is now "Mountain Musings"

Fix It Upper...the finale