Acorn Woodpecker, El Paso Cnty

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CoBirders,

For the 4th consecutive winter now a female Acorn Woodpecker has migrated north to sw Colorado Springs, and can be viewed at the usual spot & time (Dec-March?) along Cheyenne Blvd between the two ends of Willow Circle--mostly in or behind the side yard at 1804 Cheyenne Blvd. I discovered she was back again on Friday, and on Saturday my CO Spgs CBC's Area 11 crew was able to see & hear her again for count-day.

This is private property, but as long as you stay on the side of Cheyenne Blvd or on Willow Circle you can quietly view this bird. There is a wooden privacy fence around the side and back of the yard, and a line of inflatable snowmen/grinches/etc across the front. From Willow Circle most can probably see the necessary feeders over the fence, or you can discreetly peer between the inflatables out front. If at first you don't succeed, take a coffee & treat break (or breakfast) across the street at Sacred Grounds coffee shop, then try again. 

Apparently the bird has excavated a winter-vacation roosting home in one of two large trees behind the 1804 lot, just along the northeast edge of Willow Circle, and when flying in from elsewhere in the neighborhood it often stages from these two trees down to the many feeders in the 1804 yard. The owner, Michael Finlay, thinks the bird is caching whole peanuts rather than its species' typical acorns, but also likes to dine in-yard on suet and peanut butter. Please visit respectfully, individually or in very small groups. The neighborhood hosts have apparently named her "Ruby," and are very proud but protective.

Here's a link to a couple of pics: https://www.mediafire.com/folder/1smz5c0uy11tktm,wwl4ia9ib26c6r8/shared

Marty Wolf

NW CO Spgs