Highlight was 5 red-headed woodpeckers flying between the snags where the woodland trail meets the wetlands area. We saw one of the woodpeckers trying desperately to fend off entrance to a hole by about 10 European starlings. A couple blue-jays were playing close attention with clear predatory intent but were staying clear of the fray. When we left the area some 45 minutes later we were depressed to see a fox squirrel flipping chunks of the snag over his/her back as he chewed through to the inside (eggs or fledglings?) that awaited. The lone (we watched for a while and saw no evidence of a pair defending this hole) woodpecker was vocalizing loudly and striking the back of the dang rodent. 

More lovely was sightings of a pair of hooded mergansers, two pairs of buffleheads, and at least 5 singing song sparrows. Enjoyed the song of Red-winged Blackbird throughout the walk; about 50 around the lake. Some 100 Canada Geese, and 5 mallard ducks. We spotted three American tree sparrows. 1 red-tailed hawk. 50 Blue jays, 5 American Robins, 30 Black-capped Chickadees, 5 Tufted titmouse, . Heard but didn’t see 1 Pileated wood pecker. Spotted three Downy, 2 Red-bellied Wp. On the way out spotted a lovely Peregrine Falcon deep in the woods. 

Marta Anderson & Scott VanValkenburg
Cleveland Heights

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