We had not seen the woodpecker recently and wondered whether its chicks had flown, but our hopes were premature. Woodie paid us at least two visits today. The first, shown below on the left, occurred when all the chick were safely inside the nest cup. The second visit nearly five hours later was more alarming as it came when the fourth chick was at the front of the box beneath the entrance hole.
No luck for Woodie this time. On the right, he was nearly lucky as you can see.
Fortunately, the chick turned and ran for the nest cup. Although the woodpecker leaned forward, by this time the chick was out of range and so lived to tell the tale another day.
The chick turns for home.
The woodpecker lunges, but too late.
So the chick is safe and Woodie misses out again.
The last visit of the day at half past eight.
Will any of the chicks fly tomorrow?