flicker | Dina's Wildlife Adventures

This was probably one of the most well known holes back in early April. Word got out pretty quickly about a pair of flickers nesting in a park in Largo. Such a tiny hole to have so many people staring at it. I got there early on a Saturday morning and there were already 10 photographers there. We all quietly stood there for about 30 minutes before one of the parents flew in.

She crept up slowly to the hole.

Out popped one of the babies and she fed it. At this point the babies were already looking like grown flickers. But, they were still acting like babies.

Only slightly zooming in, the nest was very visable.

Mom took off after feeding the first one. Then it was time to sit and wait another 30 minutes. Eventually she came back and two more popped out. There were 3 in all but I could never get a shot of all 3 out at the same time.

After waiting a while it was time for me to leave. Not before this little one popped out looking for Mom. He must have still been hungry. This was my first time seeing a flicker nest. I don’t see them that often in the area so it was fun watching them being fed.

Mucsovy ducks are having babies at all of the local ponds including Largo Nature Preserve.

This blue winged teal couple was still floating around in late March.

The monk parakeets were flying back and forth getting sticks for their nests. Here they nest in a big utilty complex.

The dead trees near the parking lot were full of residents. The first one had a flicker nesting in it. Every once in a while she would poke her head out. The next tree had a hole that was full of bees. The next tree had several red bellied woodpeckers checking out the holes. They may nest later.

After several stops at this park looking for this ash throated flycatcher that had been seen by other birders for the last few weeks, I finally found it on the 3rd try. Luckily this was a “third time’s a charm” instead of “three strikes and you’re out.” It was hopping around in the trees right in the parking lot catching dragonflies. This was a new bird for me and while it’s not quite as pretty as the great crested flycatcher that we get pretty often around here, it was still a great find.

Walking on the boardwalk around the small lake, I found this nest. I’m thinking it’s a moorhen nest since there are a lot of them on this lake but I didn’t see any near this nest. Assuming it’s abandoned but hoping the parent just left for a quick bite.

Dina's Wildlife Adventures

Tag Archives: flicker

What’s for breakfast?

A new bird at Largo Nature Preserve