Just seen a red, black and white-headed woodpecker (Pileated), land nervously on the bird table.
This is a first–they are such shy creatures.
He managed a half-minute feed before a jealous Jay galumphed him off.
These jumbo jets of the bird world–recent arrivals–scatter all before them; the whole structure rocks as they land and take off.
The table has seen less activity lately.
Partly because the weather has improved–so there is food for the birds in the newly- awaked fields and hedgerows.
But there is another factor: Our kestrels are back!
Well, we can’t be sure that they are the same couple who raised their youngsters in the loft last year but we like to think they are.
The grill in the little round window that offers a shaft of light to the loft–an oeil-de-boeuf (bull’s eye)–at some stage got pushed aside, offering enough room for a cozy nest box.
Last year we saw them settled in–then missed most of the action, while we crisscrossed America during the month of May.
(Missed the Spring in the Tarn too–never again!)
This afternoon photographer Meredith stealthily caught five hatched chicks moving together in a blur of white feathers–like a mini moshpit at a rock concert.
Mum and Dad spend the day on allez-retour trips into the countryside behind the house bringing back tidbits for the new arrivals.
We watch from the terrace holding our breath, not daring to move, as the returning bird approaches.
Alice our neighbor says as long as the birds think you are otherwise engaged it will carry on regardless.
We spot the bird about two hundred meters out, floating in on the air currents–but with a target to hit.
As it gets closer to home, we see it judging the distance, using its wings for balance–like a tightrope walker with a long pole steadying themselves on the wire before skipping onto the launch pad.
Suddenly it veers off to the left.
It senses an alien presence–a sleeping Beau or two peeping-tom humans; then circles again and approaches as before.
At the last minute it veers off again–this time straight up and over the roof and out of sight.
We wait for a long minute–transfixed.
Here it comes again on a different approach–third time lucky.
This time, no hesitation–in it goes, folding itself into the opening–a brilliant soft landing.
Mission accomplished–cargo delivered.
But the mini mosh is never satisfied and a few moments later, it leaves again–and the hunt resumes.
Robin Ellis 
TRUE WONDER AND ENTERTAINMENT COURTESY OF NATURE
After the babies leave this year it might be interesting to put a motion activated game camera in the attic. The you could watch the progress of the hatchlings. I am sure they make them where you can view from it directly on your computer but I don’t know how expensive they are but it might be interesting to look into.
Meredith looked into it and it fell into the “too complicated for us” pile. We need assistance from someone more skilled to do it. But we are going to clean that pane of glass for next year!
Es maravilloso y una gran suerte vivir donde vive y porder disfrutarlo.
Such a lovely “episode”you have shared with us. Interested that there are Pileated Woodpeckers in France; I love seeing them in Vermont, USA.
Hi Robin,
Wonderful description and photos. Hope to see updates on all of your visitors.
How wonderful ! Would have loved to have seen them.
The kestrel is one of my favourite birds! And the first rehab. bird I ever released.
Hi Robin, what a wonderful entry. Thanks so much for sharing. I almost felt like I was there watching the birds with you.
Thanks, Sandy.
Are they not amazing .We have falcons nesting on a ledge of a building in Melbourne .The babies were born but unfortunately they both died .Tha wildlife protection organisation monitor it so we are hoping for healthy babies next time …….happy watching
Do you know what hawks you have?
Kestrels, Jen.
So lovely very interesting hope you are well robin.Very hot here today terrific thunderstorm lAst night
Regards trudy
Thanks for sharing your story along with Meredith’s beautiful photos. We have many birdhouses and feeders that accommodate some really interesting and beautiful birds. We can spend a day watching the comings and goings! We have a woodpecker that enjoys feeding off our bell feeder that hangs in front of our window. We get a real close up of him every day. Beautiful colors. O
I love reading about the birds in other gardens. Each of us shares the experience of joy watching the birds make our home theirs, but our species differ. You are entertaining some delightful visitors.
Hi, Robin & Meredith,
We have some pileated woodpeckers, too! They look just like yours. (But our blue jays are way different than yours.) Anyway, you can always tell when the woodpeckers are coming home for the night. Their loud, piercing “Cah-cah-cah-CAH-CAH-CAH!!” splits the evening solitude. They LOVE our old, dying tree, where they made huge holes for themselves (and a family of squirrels) way up there. 🙂
I once worked on the 27th floor of the Wells Fargo Bank building in Sacramento, California. Peregrine falcons lived on the roof and perched on the outside sills of our windows, watching for a city pigeon many floors below to fly into range – instant pigeon lunch. They were beautiful, deadly and deeply unimpressed with us humans watching them watch for winged food below.
What beautiful birds! Good photos of the woodpecker and jay.