It must have been five years since I last saw a Pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) in the area near the bridge connecting the Aurora Nokiidaa Trail Link to Newmarket.
This is the exact same spot where I managed to catch a glimpse of one many years ago. Back then, I had to venture deep into the tall grass and bushes just to snap a very blurry photo. This time, I had a bit more luck.
I can’t say for sure if it’s the same woodpecker from before, but it’s definitely the same species. The Pileated woodpecker is much larger—about double or even triple the size—compared to the Downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens), which is more commonly seen in the area.
Pileated woodpecker, Nokiidaa Trail Link
Now that there’s a bridge on the Nokiidaa Trail, spotting Pileated Woodpeckers has become much easier, especially during the fall when the trees are bare and there’s less foliage to hide them.
According to my bird guide, the photo I took shows a female Pileated Woodpecker. For those interested in bird-watching, I spotted her on the right side of the bridge. Binoculars would definitely enhance the view. I captured the image using a 400 mm focal length, yet she still appeared quite far away.
COMMENTS
Marvin said: November 9, 2011 at 23:20
“Very cool! We have a mated pair of those living in our neighbourhood. We see them every day or so. I need to take a picture for you.”
