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Dawn Chorus - August debut of Woodpecker Palace chicks [1]

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Date: 2025-09-14

Tuesday morning began when Janice (queen of the Palace) emerged from the portico to behold the glory of a new day.

Queen Janice 6 am

Camera exposure had to be adjusted to catch these shots because the sun had not fully risen.

a graceful pirouette before launching into the sky

I noticed the chicks on Monday August 18th after I got home from work. The light was fading but I was able to catch some video of the first tentative peeks into the bigger world by the young explorers.

26 second video



Hay seed and I took Tuesday off work, so I got up early to begin my video marathon. I have time stamped all of my segments for the next video.

1:19 minute video



Much of the day, Roy (his lordship) stood guard over the proceedings.

Another vital duty Roy tended was stocking the various pantries with food for the coming winter. I have assembled this aerial map of the Palace estate. Each red circle indicates a power pole with a stash of edibles. The Yellow circle is one of a few tree cavities that I know contain food.

Food storage sites for Roy, Janice (and offspring)

I hadn’t opened my surprise packages for Roy, Janice and the chicks to discover. I found a sale on a 40 pound bag (buy one, then get another half off) of Black Oil Sunflower seeds and will gladly share those treats with the family when conditions require the extra resources.

Both parents fed the chicks randomly after the sun started to bake the Palace exterior. Enticing the chicks to venture out included a verbal exercise with the occasional tapping routine. Until the chicks fledge, normal functions must be carried out and the disposal of waste (as shown in the following video) must occur frequently.

56 second video



Wednesday August 20th update.

I woke early enough to see Her Majesty Janice bring food to the nest. I figured I’d have another day before chicks were ready to depart.

While I was out exploring a new site, I found a first of year species. Here is a Pine Warbler.

molting and a little worn but joyfully foraging

I returned home just before noon and saw lots of activity around the Palace. This single video gives the most intense activity to entice the chicks from the nest.

1 minute video



Thursday, August 21st, the reluctant chicks were refusing to leave the nest after much debate with Roy and Janice. I filmed for over three hours with no progress more than catching a chick’s body slump out of the nest’s safety and into the unknown.

Is this where I get off ?

Hay seed and I had a few hours of work scheduled for Friday (August 21st). Before I left home (7:25 am.) I spotted Janice delivering breakfast. I was anxious that I might miss the departure of the chicks. I assumed correctly.

I witnessed a final moment of Janice checking the empty Palace when I returned (early afternoon). She appeared reluctant to abandon the safety and opulence of the Palace. But, her motherly instinct forced her to clean up after the children and leave a tidy house behind.

38 second video



The area around my house was eerily absent of Woodpecker noise Saturday morning. I predicted the family moved to the summer (much cooler and wet) retreat. Marshes nearby are filled with Woodpecker families feeding on the over-population of insects. I will await their return when the seasons change (or, if there is a Spring Gala).

Sunday morning and I spotted Roy escorting alpha chick around to the power pole stashes. I was able to catch a glimpse of the boy.

**

I hope you will share you own observations in the comments.

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