Pileated Woodpecker Siting

Several months ago Central State Hospital donated 75 additional acres of mostly wilderness area to E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park. That brought the Kentucky park's total acreage up to 513 acres.

Sawyer's an outstanding facility. The park offers numerous singletrack trails and fitness paths. The only downside is the trails are off limits to mountain bikes.

Ultimately, that may be best. The park's underutilized, considering its prime suburban location. And that means I rarely encounter more than a half-dozen other folks when hitting the trails. The past several weekends have been particularly enjoyable, as few others explore the paths on the new 75 acres donated by the hospital.

Last week, while letting the dog stretch his legs, I heard a woodpecker. Its machine gunning reverberated through the woods a few times before I realized this woodpecker was no Downy or Red Belly. Convinced it was a Pileated, I returned home and told my family so.

Today I set out to see if my suspicions were correct. Two miles or so in I heard the tapping again. Patient, I sat down on an embankment deep in the woods and waited. The dog became so bored he ceased exploring and took a seat beside me. Occasionally I'd hear the rapid strikes in quick succession. Each time I moved a little closer until voila, there he was.

The first thing I noticed about the Pileated (this was my first ever Dryocopus pileatus siting) was the bird's size. This woodpecker was easily as big as a cat, and I'd place his wingspan at almost three feet. The second thing I noticed was the vibrant red crest. Quite a regal bird.

Now that I know where he hangs out I'll see if I can't secure a better shot down the road. Today's weather was heavily overcast and the air was even mixed with snow.