It amazes me how birds return, year after year, to a given location. 2019 marked the 5th annual Northern Flicker return for his winter roost. I don’t know, of course, if it is the same Flicker but I believe it is. He arrives between 10/13 and 10/24 as if he put on his calendar:
”Head to winter residence mid-October”.
Okay so, yes, in 2018 he had a conflict and didn’t arrive until January 1st 2019.
Looking at him sleeping, it is easy to understand how young Roger Tory Peterson thought the clump of grey Flicker feathers he encountered in the woods was a dead bird. (Remember Roger's story? The Northern Flicker Will Astound You).
There’s just something about seeing "my Flicker" come home and tucking himself in that warms my heart each winter evening. He lifts my spirits, makes me laugh, when the weather is abysmal…heading back to his little wooden cabin to nap through a chilly downpour. He can sleep through ANYTHING! I admit, his antics and his stunning beauty make him my favorite winter resident. (If you are new to this blog, there are several prior Flicker posts underscoring this admission: Flicker in Flight, Didn't Read the Instructions, Done With the Rain.)
I Count the Northern Flicker Return Each Year as Among my Many Blessings
There are so many times during these past months God has blessed us. One January day, January 15 to be exact, I was driving home and found myself thanking God for a whole series of blessing that were on my mind. When I sat down later that evening, and looked up at the bird camera images, I noted my Flicker was in for the night. And then…it registered…there were TWO Flickers. Mr. Flicker was in the east owl house…Ms. Flicker was in the south owl house. Reach your own conclusion. For me, it felt like a gift from God. That night my worries about my dog, Drake, sure felt a lot lighter.
Unlike Mr. Flicker, who nestles down in the wood shavings to sleep, Ms. Flicker sleeps clinging to the wall of the house – always the wall where the entrance hole is.
Stand by for Part 2
Don’t get too excited…no shared nesting…no eggs…but we can always hope for a Part 3!