Baby Nuttall Woodpecker

May 16: The Nuttall Woodpecker I wrote about awhile back is now a proud parent.  The City’s Tree Services Coordinator came by to discuss the replacement of our two diseased Liquid Amber trees and as we stood below the tree in question I became distracted by the sound of baby birds.  I kept sneaking glances at what I presumed to be the opening of the nest, the almost perfectly round hole towards the top of the tree trunk.  One of the parents eventually arrived with food in its beak and a baby bird poked out its head.

“You know,” I said to the Tree Services Coordinator, “as much as I’d like to get rid of this dying tree I just can’t part with it right now.”  His eyes lit up with surprise and wonder when I pointed out the reason why.  People just don’t think of Woodpeckers living in suburbia, even someone who’s responsible for the City’s trees.  I didn’t believe it myself the first time I heard one.  I had to see the bird in action before believing it.

As it turns out there are laws that prevent the removal of trees with active nests so even if I wanted to, I couldn’t have the tree removed.   But that’s ok.  I think I made someone’s day.  And those Woodpeckers definitely made mine.  I mean look at this photo — isn’t this baby with the red fuzzy top the sweetest thing you’ve ever seen?  In a month or so the nest will be vacant and I’ll contact the city to come out and mark the tree for removal.

I’ll be sad to see the tree go.  I may cry.  Twenty some odd years ago when we moved in these trees were at their prime and for many years we experienced the briefest of Falls, the leaves turning gold and eventually carpeting the lawns all up and down the street.  It was such a rare treat for Southern California that I refused to rake up the leaves.  The trees no longer produce the magnificent Fall effect they once did and the neighborhood may never return to that Fall glory as Liquid Ambers aren’t on the list of of replacement trees.  Trees that are on the list are mostly evergreens.  The street lined with fall leaves is an image I will just have to carry around in my head.

It’s also a bit sad to tear down what once was a home to a bird.  I don’t know if Woodpeckers reuse nests, but removing the tree totally eliminates that possibility.  I’m consoled by the numerous other Liquid Amber trees on the street that are not as far gone as mine.  They will be around for awhile longer and are suitable for nesting.  Next spring someone else on the street may experience the joy of Woodpeckers.

I’m just grateful the Nuttalls selected my tree this year.  They’ve been a joy to watch and their selection of this tree will be a nice final memory of our Liquid Ambers.  I’m also very grateful to live in a City that is responsive to replacing diseased trees.