We often walk our dog on the Hooten Road portion of Cavan swamp and this year I have discovered two hairy woodpecker nests along the road – both within 10 to 30 feet of the road – one in a dead aspen, the other in a dead tree (not sure what species it is). I first noticed the nests because of the frantic activity of the parents at both sites when I stopped to take photos of them. Then I heard a chirring sound – babies in the nest, and finally discovered the entry hole to the nests and watched a parent enter with food. I first discovered that baby woodpeckers chirr last year while walking our dog along another favourite spot – Mervin Road near the airport – through the swamp just east of the river – I kept hearing this odd sound whenever we walked by this particular spot, and after some sleuthing, discovered a hairy woodpecker’s nest in a dead tree about 10 feet from the road. The nest entry holes in all three are about 2 inches in diameter and are about 10 feet up.
Location: Hooten Road in the Cavan Swamp
Observer: Dave and Sherry Hambly
