[EBB Sightings] Re: Mines Rd., San Antonio Valley Rd., Del Puerto Canyon

Ken Archambault sent me a note about the Lewis's Woodpecker nest on San 
Antonio Valley Rd. just south of the Junction (Del Puerto Canyon Rd. 
intersection) and wanted me to share it with everyone since he's not 
able to post at this time. About 3-4 weeks ago, he shot footage of 
European Starlings entering the Lewis's Woodpecker nest cavity 
(apparently the same nest hole). The two parent woodpeckers were very 
agitated. He was not sure if the starlings predated any of the 
woodpecker chicks, as they were in the cavity for several minutes. 
(However, I have not found any reference that says that starlings 
predate on other bird's eggs or nestlings.) Previously, he saw an adult 
woodpecker enter the cavity with acorn. I'm not sure if he assumed that 
this food carrying activity and the agitation meant that there were 
chicks in the nest, or if he actually heard chicks. But I believe 
parent Lewis's Woodpeckers feed their nestlings insects and berries, 
rather than acorns. The latter becomes part of their diet after they 
fledge. Since their incubation time is about 2 weeks and fledging 
occurs after another 30 days, it's likely that when Ken saw this 
activity, there may have not been any nestlings in the cavity. There 
might have been eggs and the adult was just taking in a snack.

Les
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Les Chibana
BirdNUTZ(tm) - Ornigasmic Birding
Palo Alto Baylands Birding Classes
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