Gardening for Old Folks (Adaptative)

[GardenTillers44]

Yellow bellied sapsucker looks just like them.

Cool birds!
Sapsuckers have favorite trees they will work on for years, just like Acorn Woodpecker cache trees. A generational sapsucker tree will look like a cribbage board after a few years. Sapsucker trees aren't necessarily under stress, like woodpecker-targeted trees, in fact a healthy tree with good sap flow can be a preferred target. Younger trees with thinner bark or naturally thin-barked trees are often targeted. It is in the sapsucker's best interest not to damage the tree to death. Most other woodpecker species are usually attacking a tree as it declines with borer or ant infestations.

 

[Pensmaster]

Cool birds!
Sapsuckers have favorite trees they will work on for years, just like Acorn Woodpecker cache trees. A generational sapsucker tree will look like a cribbage board after a few years. Sapsucker trees aren't necessarily under stress, like woodpecker-targeted trees, in fact a healthy tree with good sap flow can be a preferred target. Younger trees with thinner bark or naturally thin-barked trees are often targeted. It is in the sapsucker's best interest not to damage the tree to death. Most other woodpecker species are usually attacking a tree as it declines with borer or ant infestations.

This must be their favorite as none of the other trees have the holes. Thanks for the information I was afraid I needed some spray. Tree is easily 40’ tall. Most branches have marks under them.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The photo is a classic sapsucker pattern. There are several sapsucker species in CA. We have the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker here. Oh, I see Cap just answered your question...
Anyway, funny this has come up on this thread as I was fielding a lot of woodpecker questions at our store today. Typically when woodpeckers are working on a tree, they will peck holes vertically following a seam or carpenter ant tunnel through the heatwood. If they are feeding on borer larvae, the holes will be more randomly distributed. A nest cavity will be excavated 2-4" diameter and deep into the heartwood.

Things are slow at bird feeders in many areas in the midwest. There was a very good mast and wildflower crop this year, and the warm winter last year meant a lot of carryover of insects that survived the winter. Bottom line is that there is plenty of natural food out there for the peckers and other wild birds. A little further into winter and some more snow and they should hit the feeders regularly once they discover them. Out west, especially in fire ravaged areas, there is a real need for bird feeding right now as the natural food reserves are very low. Many birds have migrated out of those areas.

Nutty Butter suet (@Oldhenlikesdogs) or any good quality suet with peanuts is good. The colder it gets, the more they will crave and need digestible fats and high calories like you get in suet, nut meats and oil seeds (sunflower, safflower). Stay away from the milo, wheat and red millet found in high percentages in many seed blends-good price but too low a nutritional value for winter subsistance. Same with bread and most table scraps as they will eat this at the expense of more nutrient rich natural foods. The birds are better off with oil sunflower rich blends or oilers alone.

This is some really great information. I didn't know about the patterns. Apparently I have never seen a sapsucker here. My feeders are busy. They mostly eat my sunflower seeds and my good suet, so you hit it all right on the head with the information.

 

[chickmom3941]

I can't believe the woodpeckers around here have not figured out what the suet feeder is for. They were breeding in a nearby tree this summer. There are many different species locally. I may try cleaning the bird feeder again. None of them seemed interested this summer in it either but they may get hungry.

That's strange. Here, the birds discovered the suet feeders almost as soon as I put them out. The main birds that eat the suet are chickadees, nuthatches, and various woodpeckers. Even pileated woodpeckers now and then (they are so majestic). It's funny, our dog pays no attention to any of the birds that come to our feeders, EXCEPT the pileated woodpeckers - he gets all riled up and barks at them!

 

[GardenTillers44]

They mostly eat my sunflower seeds and my good suet, so you hit it all right on the head with the information.

My love of wild birds and wildlife led my wife and I to open a bird feeding/nature store years ago. Hard to get me to turn the lights off in the office

 

[GardenTillers44]

That's strange. Here, the birds discovered the suet feeders almost as soon as I put them out. The main birds that eat the suet are chickadees, nuthatches, and various woodpeckers. Even pileated woodpeckers now and then (they are so majestic). It's funny, our dog pays no attention to any of the birds that come to our feeders, EXCEPT the pileated woodpeckers - he gets all riled up and barks at them!

Those pileateds are prehistoric looking, don't blame your dog for paying attention. They can really chop wood! They have been working on an old maple stump in the yard and have just about got it turned into wood chips.

MN and other northern climates have a harsher winter environment and the birds have to work harder to find food. Easy pickings like seed and suet feeders get their attention pretty quickly as a rule.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Yes, we see a lot of Pileated woodpeckers here, as well as hearing them. We have been seeing a Bald Eagle here regularly as well. I saw a house wren in my workshop today.

 

[henless]

I'm in need of a new wheelbarrow. Nothing is wrong with the one I have, but I've wanted a 2 wheel barrow for quite a while. Problem is, the only ones I can find affordable are the poly/plastic/rubber ones. I've always had a steel wheelbarrow. Any of ya'll have the poly wheelbarrows? If so, how well do they hold up?

 

[rjohns39]

I'm in need of a new wheelbarrow. Nothing is wrong with the one I have, but I've wanted a 2 wheel barrow for quite a while. Problem is, the only ones I can find affordable are the poly/plastic/rubber ones. I've always had a steel wheelbarrow. Any of ya'll have the poly wheelbarrows? If so, how well do they hold up?

mine's still going fine. Get solid tires if you can.

 

[henless]

mine's still going fine. Get solid tires if you can.

How long have you had yours?