I stopped at Lake Park late morning today to check things out. The highlight was numerous Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers licking sap from new and old holes in trees. Some would sit lower towards the base of the tree as there may be more sap at those locations. It was interesting to sit and watch as this continued while I was present. Snow fell for most of the time I was present, a gloomy day with some winds. Birds around where very active. A couple species to note where a Golden-crowned Kinglet and my first Yellow-rumped Warbler of the year. Images where taken on April 8, 2016.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Binomial name: Sphyrapicus varius
Category: Woodpeckers and Allies
Size: 8.5” long, 16” wing span
Weight: 1.8 oz
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female getting sap
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male getting sap
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female getting sap
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male with sap on bill
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male getting sap
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female getting sap
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female getting sap
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male working on getting sap
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Those are awesome pictures. We’ve been waiting for the Sapsuckers to show up. But we had about 2″ of fresh snow it’s a wonder anything will show up. Thanks for sharing your find.
Jim, Another great set of images. You are going to turn me into a birder yet. How long will they hang out there? Now I have to go to Greenfield and Lake parks for the Herons and the Sapsuckers… Wow. Is there any particular time that they are more active? Or do they act like a typical woodpecker?
Great photos, Jim. We are all so lucky that you’re willing to share.