Today I took a break and wanted to have lunch among the Magnolia petals. As I was carrying my tray outside a bird came flying towards me from the neighboring yard. I thought it was a mourning dove at first because of its size. But when it landed on the tree in my yard I saw that it it a speckled chest, a long beak and was a different bird altogether. It somehow resembled a woodpecker but was not the red-headed kind I had seen in the yard in years past. It did not sit still long at all but I did get a good look at it and it was quite distinctive.

I went inside and got the children's bird guide. On the page after the woodpecker was the Northern Flicker. That's clearly what it was. I know this is not a rare bird at all but I had never seen one before, so I am very excited.

I had heard its cry for a while (and also in a near-by park) had not been able to see it. There is a very dead tree two yards down and I had heard some hammering for a while but it was not as forceful as a woodpecker's and I couldn't see a woodpecker either. I hope the flicker will nest in the dead tree.

Another species to add to my list of urban wildlife sightings. This year we have two very noisy blue jays who give the crow a run for its money. Sparrows, starlings, mourning doves and pigeons of course. Last year we saw woodpeckers, robins, and cardinals.  2:04:33 PM    

Here is my little urban oasis, briefly sprinkled by fairy petals.

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