I found a fledgling Hairy Woodpecker yesterday.

[blindpig]

A tad early, don't ya think? Tail was short, I'd guess a week or so from flying. Sibley's states the season for juveniles being July/August. I took some photos then let it be, hoping the parents would take charge. When I returned a few hours later it was gone and fortunately no piles of feathers around, so maybe it made it.

Is this an ancedote for the Climate Change files?

[semillama]

1. depends on where you are located.

If I recall correctly, woodpeckers can be early breeders. I saw probably nesting behavior by a Hairy Woodpecker a couple weeks ago here in Central Ohio.

[blindpig]

2. Hmmm

I'm in Upstate SC, so about a month ahead of you, weatherwise. Maybe Sibley bases his dating on New England or maybe they're all getting screwed up. Or maybe it's nothing at all but a photo-op.

[semillama]

3. also could be a second brood.

A lot of birds will produce a second brood after the first fledges and are finding their own food.

I'm participating in the Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas II. Just documented a fledgling red-bellied woodpecker. I also have singing Prothonotary Warblers in my atlas block, so I'm hoping to confirm breeding for them too!

If you get a chance to participate in a breeding bird survey, do it! it's really a different way to look at birds and your skills improve so much.