Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) FPA, New Castle County, DE (Nov. 26, 2006)

A Pileated was heard here in the Spring of 2004 and again in the Fall of 2004. In the Spring of 2005 it was seen and heard several times. In the Spring of 2006 it was seen and heard daily for about two weeks. At that time, at one point, it received a distant answer. The calling and answering continued for two or three days. ***** At some time they were both seen, if briefly. I was excited to think a Pileated might make it's home here, but after a couple or three days of noisy mornings, at the end of the 10-day to two week period, the pair took off for parts unknown. I was a bit disappointed and relieved at the same time, as the loud calling certainly threatened to impinge on late morning sleeping/napping. ;o) ***** Now that this home is camera-ready most of time, it was really special that Karen got a picture of our visitor. ***** I've heard that a Pileated has been heard and seen at White Clay this Summer --- I'd like to think it's the couple that met here. :o)