Two afternoons ago I was actually on my way to fill the French River Lutheran public bird feeders, and I came across this pair of Pileated Woodpeckers. The ash tree is quite obviously dead, and I assume the woodpeckers were eating Emerald Ash Borer Beetle Larva. It is rather obvious this tree has been a favorite of theirs for some time … all the flaked off bark.
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There had been some hope the Emerald Ash Borer would not get well established in northern Minnesota given our extremely cold winter temperatures, but this ash tree is within 100 yards of Lake Superior. Thus the temperature never gets quite as cold right next to the lake. Head 3 miles inland from Lake Superior and the temperature can drop 10 to 15 degrees (or be that much warmer in the summer).
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See in you can find the second Pileated Woodpecker in the third photo. It’s present!
And the birds at work (video link for email subscribers)
the second one is behind the one in front. i can see a little of the red
we’ve been seeing so many trees all over the area without bark or with bare patches. have not seen this before. thanks for getting out there and sharing
Yes, the second Pileated WP is behind the first one in the V of the tree branches. Also, your description of the temp differences near Lake Superior and inland compare exactly to our Lake Michigan and inland temps here in Chicago. The lake water changes more slowly, as you know, keeping the city (versus the outlying suburbs) warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
My middle boy now lives in Milwaukee. He experiences the same from Lake Michigan!