It was partly cloudy and warm, with a light wind on the bird survey today. 42 species were found. Was a slow day. Concentrated on water birds mostly so saw few Passerines. Black-bellied Whistling Duck numbers continue to increase. A few shorebirds were starting to show up. There are still some gallinules with small young and there are still a few Anhinga nests and Neotropic Cormorant nests with young. Here is my list for today:
Date: 9/1/26 4:12 pm From: Patricia Velte <pvelte...> Subject: September Migration Report (2 of 2)
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Species
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Departure
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Black-billed Cuckoo
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September 20 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
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Common Nighthawk
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September 28 - PAN
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Chuck-will's-widow
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September 12 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
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Black-chinned Hummingbird
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September 15 - PAN: Cimarron Co. Only and September 20 - NW, SW, C, SC: Rare north to Blaine, Dewey and Roger Mills Cos. Only in NW; Rare east to Logan, Oklahoma and Cleveland Cos. Only in in C; and Rare in Stephens and Jefferson Cos. Only in SC
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Common Gallinule
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September 15 - NW, SW, C, SC: Rare in Major Co. Only in NW; and Rare in Tillman Co. Only in SW
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Black-necked Stilt
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September 16 - PAN, C, SC, SE: Rare in southern McCurtain Co Only
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Piping Plover
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September 28 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE
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Upland Sandpiper
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September 10 – PAN and September 28 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
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Long-billed Curlew
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September 10 - PAN* *Cimarron and Texas co. Only
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Marbled Godwit
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September 30 - PAN, NW, SW, C, SC, NE
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Ruddy Turnstone
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September 28 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE: West to Alfalfa, Major and Blaine cos. Only in NW; and west to Washita, Kiowa and Tillman cos. Only in SW
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Red Knot
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September 20 - NW, C, NE: Rare in Alfalfa Co. Only
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Buff-breasted Sandpiper
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September 27 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE: West to Woods, Woodward, Dewey, and Custer cos Only in NW; and west to Washita, Kiowa and Tillman Cos. Only in SW
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Short-billed Dowitcher
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September 16 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
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Willet
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September 12 - ALL
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Least Tern
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September 21 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
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Wood Stork
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September 27 - Johnston and Marshall cos Only in SC; and Bryan, Choctaw and southern McCurtain cos Only in SE
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Least Bittern
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September 29 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
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Tricolored Heron
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September 27 - NW, C, SC, SE Rare in Alfalfa Co Only in NW; Rare in Canadian and Oklahoma cos Only in C; Rare in Johnston Co Only in SC; and Rare in Bryan, Choctaw and southern McCurtain cos Only in SE
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White Ibis
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September 16 - C, SC
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Mississippi Kite
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September 30 - ALL East to Washington, Rogers, Wagoner and Muskogee cos Only in NE
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Ash-throated Flycatcher
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September 2 - PAN, NW, SW Cimarron Co and rare in Texas and Beaver cos in PAN; Rare in Blaine co Only in NW; and east to Beckham, Kiowa, western Comanche and Tillman cos Only in SW
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Great Crested Flycatcher
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September 17 - Texas and Beaver Cos Only and September 25 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
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Western Kingbird
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September 29 - PAN
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Eastern Kingbird
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September 15 – PAN and September 21 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE
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Olive-sided Flycatcher
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September 30 - ALL
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Western Wood-Pewee
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September 26 - PAN Cimarron Co only
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Eastern Wood-Pewee
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September 30 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE West to Alfalfa, Major and Blaine cos only in NW; west to Caddo, Comanche and Cotton cos only in SW
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|
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
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September 25 - SW, C, SC, NE, SE and September 25 - Rare west to Caddo, Comanche and Cotton cos only
|
|
Acadian Flycatcher
|
September 1 - C, SC, NE, SE west to Payne, Lincoln and Pottawatomie cos in C; and Pontotoc, Johnston and Marshall cos. Only in SC
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Alder Flycatcher
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September 20 - C, SC, NE, SE
|
|
Willow Flycatcher
|
September 20 – ALL and September 25 - NE, SE Craig and Ottawa cos. Only in NE; and southern McCurtain Co only in SE
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|
Hammond's Flycatcher
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September 26 - PAN Rare in Cimarron Co only
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|
Dusky Flycatcher
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September 26 - Rare in Cimarron Co only
|
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Vermillion Flycatcher
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September 20 - rare in northwestern Cimarron co only
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Black-capped Vireo
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September 28 - SW Comanche co only
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|
Bell's Vireo
|
September 26 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
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Yellow-throated Vireo
|
September 29 - C, SC, NE, SE WEST TO Payne, Oklahoma and Cleveland cos only in C; and Pontotoc and Johnston cos only in SC
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Cassin's Vireo
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September 7 - PAN *rare in Cimarron co only
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Plumbeous Vireo
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September 21 - PAN *rare in Cimarron co only
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Warbling Vireo
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September 30 - ALL
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Bank Swallow
|
September 27 - ALL
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Tree Swallow
|
September 20 - PAN, NW
|
|
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
|
September 20 - PAN
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|
Purple Martin
|
September 12 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
|
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Cliff Swallow
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September 6 – PAN and September 28 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
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Cave Swallow
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September 20 - SW *north to Jackson, Kiowa and Comanche cos only and September 10 - SE *rare in southern McCurtain co only
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Swainson's Thrush
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September 20 – PAN and September 30 - ALL
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Cassin's Sparrow
|
September 12 - PAN, NW, SW, C, SC *east to Alfalfa and Major cos only in NW; rare in Canadian co only in C; and rare in Jefferson and Carter cos only in SC
|
|
Grasshopper Sparrow
|
September 24 - PAN
|
|
Black-throated Sparrow
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September 16 - *rare in northwestern Cimarron co only
|
|
Lark Sparrow
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September 22 - PAN
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|
Green-tailed Towhee
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September 29 - PAN
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Yellow-breasted Chat
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September 9 – PAN and September 28 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
|
|
Bobolink
|
September 27 - NW, C, SC, NE, SE
|
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Orchard Oriole
|
September 15 - ALL
|
|
Bullock's Oriole
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September 11 - PAN, NW, SW *Harper, Ellis and Roger Mills co only in NW and all counties except Caddo, eastern Comanche and Cotton cos in SW
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Baltimore Oriole
|
September 25 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE *west to Caddo, eastern Comanche and Cotton cos in SW
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Northern Waterthrush
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September 21 - ALL
|
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Prothonotary Warbler
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September 10 - NW, C, SC, NE, SE *Alfalfa and Major cos only in NW
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Swainson's Warber
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September 10 - *rare in McCurtain co only
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Virginia Warbler
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September 15 - PAN *rare in Cimarron co only
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MacGillivray's Warbler
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September 20 - PAN *rare in Cimarron co only
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Kentucky Warbler
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September 26 - C, SC, NE, SE *west to Logan, Oklahoma and Cleveland cos only in C; and Johnston and Pontotoc cos only in SC
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Common Yellowthroat
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September 26 - PAN
|
|
Hooded Warbler
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September 28 - SE *Latimer, Le Flore, Pushmataha and McCurtain cos only in SE
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American Redstart
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September 28 - All *west to Craig, Mayes, Wagoner and Muskogee cos only in NE; and Le Flore and McCurtain cos only in SE
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Bay-breasted Warbler
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September 27 - NE, SE
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Yellow Warbler
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September 12 – PAN and September 25 - NW, C, NE and September 20 – SW and September 30 - SE
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Chestnut-sided Warbler
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September 27 - SW, C, SC, NE, SE
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Yellow-throated Warbler
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September 25 - C, SC, NE, SE *west to Payne, Lincoln and Cleveland cos only in C; and west to Pontotoc, Murray, Johnston and Love cos only in SC
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Townsend's Warbler
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September 21 - PAN *rare in Cimarron co only
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Canada Warbler
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September 23 - C, SC, NE, SE
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Western Tanager
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September 25 - PAN *Cimarron co only
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Black-headed Grosbeak
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September 21 - PAN
|
|
Lazuli Bunting
|
September 25 - PAN
|
|
Painted Bunting
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September 23 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
|
| | |
| | |
The Date Guide divides Oklahoma into 7 geographic regions, and lists the normal dates of occurrence for each Oklahoma bird species within each region. Observers are urged to report unusual species, or birds out of date or out of normal range in Oklahoma, based on the information given in this publication.
Date: 9/1/26 4:11 pm From: Patricia Velte <pvelte...> Subject: September Migration Report (1 of 2)
Greetings!
The list for September is lengthy; I’m sending Arrivals and Departures in separate messages.
Below is the list of ARRIVALS for this month
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Species
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Arrival
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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Cinnamon Teal
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September 7 - PAN, NW, SW
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Northern Pintail
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September 1 - C, SC, NE, SE
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Lesser Scaup
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September 25 - ALL
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Eared Grebe
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September 4 - ALL
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Common Poorwill
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September 19 - C, SC, NE: Rare east to Osage, Tulsa and Creek Cos. Only
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Sabine's Gull
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September 6 - PAN, NW, C, SC, NE
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Lesser Black-backed Gull
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September 30 - C, NE: Rare in Tulsa co. Only in NE
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Sharp-shinned Hawk
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September 12 - ALL
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Red-naped Sapsucker
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September 21 - Cimarron Co Only
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Merlin
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September 2 - ALL
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Prairie Falcon
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September 24 - ALL
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Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
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September 3 – SW*, C, SC, NE, SE *rare west to Caddo, Comanche and Cottons Cos. Only
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|
Blue-headed Vireo
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September 1 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
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Plumbeous Vireo
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September 2 - PAN *rare in Cimarron co only
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|
Philadelphia Vireo
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September 12 - C, SC, NE, SE
|
|
Mountain Chickadee
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September 20 - *Cimarron co only
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Red-breasted Nuthatch
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September 10 - ALL
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|
House Wren
|
September 16 - SC, SE
|
|
Sedge Wren
|
September 27 - C, SC
|
|
Marsh Wren
|
September 26 - ALL
|
|
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
|
September 10 - ALL
|
|
Mountain Bluebird
|
September 27 - PAN
|
|
Townsend's Solitaire
|
September 17 - PAN
|
|
Swainson's Thrush
|
September 7 – PAN and September 11 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE *rare in fall migration
|
|
Hermit Thrush
|
September 22 - PAN
|
|
Sage Thrasher
|
September 1 - PAN * Cimarron co only
|
|
Cedar Waxwing
|
September 9 – PAN and September 24 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
|
|
American Pipit
|
September 25 – PAN and September 29 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
|
|
Dark-eyed Junco
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September 27 - ALL
|
|
White-crowned Sparrow
|
September 23 - PAN
|
|
Vesper Sparrow
|
September 1 – PAN and September 27 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
|
|
Nelson's Sparrow
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September 21 - NE, SE
|
|
Savannah Sparrow
|
September 6 – PAN and September 14 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
|
|
Song Sparrow
|
September 15 - PAN
|
|
Lincoln's Sparrow
|
September 15 – PAN and September 22 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
|
|
Green-tailed Towhee
|
September 7 - PAN
|
|
Spotted Towhee
|
September 25 - ALL
|
|
Eastern Towhee
|
September 30 - SW, C, SC, NE, SE *rare in Comanche co only in SW; rare west to Payne, Logan, Oklahoma and Cleveland cos only in C; Pontotoc, Johnston and Marshall cos in SC; rare in rest of SC; and west to Osage and Pawnee cos only in NE
|
|
Bobolink
|
September 1 - NW, C, SC, NE, SE *rare in fall migration
|
|
Western Meadowlark
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September 16 - SC, NE, SE
|
|
Brewer's Blackbird
|
September 17 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE,SE
|
|
Ovenbird
|
September 5 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
|
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Tennessee Warbler
|
September 3 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
|
|
Orange-crowned Warbler
|
September 4 – PAN and September 22 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
|
|
Nashville Warbler
|
September 3 - ALL
|
|
Bay-breasted Warbler
|
September 10 - NE, SE
|
|
Chestnut-sided Warbler
|
September 6 - SW, C, SC, NE, SE
|
|
Palm Warbler
|
September 29 - NE, SE
|
|
Yellow-rumped Warbler
|
September 8 – PAN and September 29 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
|
|
Townsend's Warbler
|
September 1 - PAN *rare in Cimarron co only
|
|
Western Tanager
|
September 2 - PAN *Cimarron co only
|
|
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
|
September 17 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
|
|
Clay-colored Sparrow
|
September 2 – NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
|
|
Virginia Rail
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September 2 - ALL
|
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| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
The Date Guide divides Oklahoma into 7 geographic regions, and lists the normal dates of occurrence for each Oklahoma bird species within each region. Observers are urged to report unusual species, or birds out of date or out of normal range in Oklahoma, based on the information given in this publication.
Date: 8/28/26 11:46 am From: <arbour...> <arbour...> Subject: Red Slough Bird Survey - August 27
Time Started: 0700
Time ended: 1333
The bird survey started off overcast, mild and mostly calm, turning warm and mostly clear with a light wind toward mid day. 50 species were found. There were numerous migrants around so I spent most of my effort on woodland Passerines. We still have several active Anhinga and Neotropic Cormorant nests on Pintail Lake. Here is my list for yesterday:
Well it was not a good time. I did not see one bird. Must have been too hot.
On Thu, Aug 27, 2026 at 5:14 PM Jennie Brooks <2014birder...> wrote:
> Thank you, Hal. I'll let you know how it goes.
>
> Jennie
>
> On Thu, Aug 27, 2026 at 4:38 PM drhal2 Yocum <drhal2...> wrote:
>
>> Jennie, I heard it was seen st the north end of the Crystal Bridge on the
>> flowers around there and just across from there. Good Luck , Hal Yocum Sent
>> from my iPhone On Aug 27, 2026, at 4: 23 PM, Jennie Brooks <2014birder@
>> gmail. com> wrote:
>> ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart
>> External Email
>>
>> ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd
>> Jennie, I heard it was seen st the north end of the Crystal Bridge on the
>> flowers around there and just across from there.
>> Good Luck ,
>> Hal Yocum
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Aug 27, 2026, at 4:23 PM, Jennie Brooks <2014birder...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Has anyone seen the Rufous Hummingbird at the Myriad Gardens today?
>> Thanks, Jennie
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart
>> External Email
>>
>> ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd
>> Has anyone seen the Rufous Hummingbird at the Myriad Gardens today?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Jennie
>>
>>
Jennie, I heard it was seen st the north end of the Crystal Bridge on the flowers around there and just across from there.
Good Luck ,
Hal Yocum
Sent from my iPhone
> On Aug 27, 2026, at 4:23 PM, Jennie Brooks <2014birder...> wrote:
>
>
> External Email
> Has anyone seen the Rufous Hummingbird at the Myriad Gardens today?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jennie
Date: 8/26/26 8:42 am From: Bryan Reynolds <nature_photo_man...> Subject: Re: Aw: [OKBIRDS] Red-headed Woodpeckers, raising a chick in central Oklahoma
Thanks, Bill, for your kind words. Contending with the heat is fine because I'm having a blast with the subjects.
This inspiring story reminds me of the likes of Ansel Adams going through absurd difficulties to get "that" shot. It also reminds me of the generalist naturalists of old who were willing to spend time following a story in order to learn from
ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart
External Email
ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd
This inspiring story reminds me of the likes of Ansel Adams going through absurd difficulties to get "that" shot. It also reminds me of the generalist naturalists of old who were willing to spend time following a story in order to learn from it.
Nowadays i imagine most nature lovers, including myself, would have been thrilled to see that first bird, get a few shots, put a checkmark on a list, then get the heck out of that heat content with this highlight.
Thanks equally for the pics and the story. Well done Sir!
bill d
enid garfield ok
Sent: Sunday, August 23, 2026 at 6:04 PM
From: "Bryan Reynolds" <nature_photo_man...>
To: <OKBIRDS...>
Subject: [OKBIRDS] Red-headed Woodpeckers, raising a chick in central Oklahoma
All, On 9 July, I photographed a Red-headed Woodpecker at the Purcell City Lake (Cleveland County). It was perched at the top of a cut-off snag close to a picnic area. I got some shots and it flew off. I went back the next day to do some general
ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart
External Email
ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd
All,
On 9 July, I photographed a Red-headed Woodpecker at the Purcell City Lake (Cleveland County). It was perched at the top of a cut-off snag close to a picnic area. I got some shots and it flew off. I went back the next day to do some general bird photography, and by golly, another Red-headed Woodpecker was at the same spot. Again, I photographed it, but this time I noticed a second one nearby. That second one flew to the snag and stayed there for a bit just looking at me. Then the thought occurred that perhaps they have a nest in the snag. I repositioned my vehicle to get a better look and sure enough, there was a nest hole. So, over the next several days, I went out and photographed both the male and female flying to and from the nest hole. I even got a couple shots of them mating. After over a month of photographing them, I finally got a glimpse of the chick peeking out of the nest hole. I had hoped to get a shot of the chick with its head out of the hole and a parent feeding it, but I never saw the chick extend out of the hole. I went back again on Thursday (20th) and sat in the heat for over an hour before I noticed the chick had already fledged and was flying around the area. I could not get a shot of it, but hopefully, I'll be able to in the next few days.
A couple observations... Both parents worked to bring in food. When it was early in the feeding process, the parents came and went fairly regularly, probably every 10 minutes or so. Later in the process, it ended up being about every hour (maybe due to the heat). The larger of the two (the female?) would hang nearby in another snag and stayed in the shaded side of a limb. I would hear her pecking at the tree and for a while, I had no idea what it (she?) was doing until I noticed it pick up a mangled grasshopper. I realized, it was smashing up heavy-bodied insects and letting them sit in the sun to soften them. Then, it would take the mangled food to the nest. I noticed softer bodied prey (a few spiders and one caterpillar) were brought in straight away and whole. Another time, an offering of berries was brought in. I'm not sure, but they looked like greenbrier to me. The chick refused these.
Date: 8/25/26 9:20 pm From: bill d <0000034562916cb1-dmarc-request...> Subject: Aw: [OKBIRDS] Red-headed Woodpeckers, raising a chick in central Oklahoma
This inspiring story reminds me of the likes of Ansel Adams going through absurd difficulties to get "that" shot. It also reminds me of the generalist naturalists of old who were willing to spend time following a story in order to learn fromZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart External Email ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEndThis inspiring story reminds me of the likes of Ansel Adams going through absurd difficulties to get "that" shot. It also reminds me of the generalist naturalists of old who were willing to spend time following a story in order to learn from it. Nowadays i imagine most nature lovers, including myself, would have been thrilled to see that first bird, get a few shots, put a checkmark on a list, then get the heck out of that heat content with this highlight. Thanks equally for the pics and the story. Well done Sir! bill denid garfield okSent: Sunday, August 23, 2026 at 6:04 PMFrom: "Bryan Reynolds" <nature_photo_man...>To: <OKBIRDS...>: [OKBIRDS] Red-headed Woodpeckers, raising a chick in central OklahomaAll, On 9 July, I photographed a Red-headed Woodpecker at the Purcell City Lake (Cleveland County). It was perched at the top of a cut-off snag close to a picnic area. I got some shots and it flew off. I went back the next day to do some generalZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStartExternal Email ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEndAll, On 9 July, I photographed a Red-headed Woodpecker at the Purcell City Lake (Cleveland County). It was perched at the top of a cut-off snag close to a picnic area. I got some shots and it flew off. I went back the next day to do some general bird photography, and by golly, another Red-headed Woodpecker was at the same spot. Again, I photographed it, but this time I noticed a second one nearby. That second one flew to the snag and stayed there for a bit just looking at me. Then the thought occurred that perhaps they have a nest in the snag. I repositioned my vehicle to get a better look and sure enough, there was a nest hole. So, over the next several days, I went out and photographed both the male and female flying to and from the nest hole. I even got a couple shots of them mating. After over a month of photographing them, I finally got a glimpse of the chick peeking out of the nest hole. I had hoped to get a shot of the chick with its head out of the hole and a parent feeding it, but I never saw the chick extend out of the hole. I went back again on Thursday (20th) and sat in the heat for over an hour before I noticed the chick had already fledged and was flying around the area. I could not get a shot of it, but hopefully, I'll be able to in the next few days. A couple observations... Both parents worked to bring in food. When it was early in the feeding process, the parents came and went fairly regularly, probably every 10 minutes or so. Later in the process, it ended up being about every hour (maybe due to the heat). The larger of the two (the female?) would hang nearby in another snag and stayed in the shaded side of a limb. I would hear her pecking at the tree and for a while, I had no idea what it (she?) was doing until I noticed it pick up a mangled grasshopper. I realized, it was smashing up heavy-bodied insects and letting them sit in the sun to soften them. Then, it would take the mangled food to the nest. I noticed softer bodied prey (a few spiders and one caterpillar) were brought in straight away and whole. Another time, an offering of berries was brought in. I'm not sure, but they looked like greenbrier to me. The chick refused these. I had a blast watching and photographing these two new parents and their baby. It was blazingly hot; to get the correct light-angle and clean photos, I had to sit in my black vehicle in direct sun with the engine off. I could barely last an hour at a time (one day it was 106), but both parents didn't stop working and both were constantly panting. To share this excitement, I've created an album in Flickr: Red-headed Woodpeckers raising a chick in central Oklahoma | Flickr Comments are always welcome. Take care,Bryan Bryan E. ReynoldsPhotographer/Writer/Consultant/Speaker My nature and wildlife photography portfolio
Date: 8/25/26 3:31 pm From: Devin Bosler <devinbosler...> Subject: juv. White Ibis - Northeast Lake/ Zoo Lake, Oklahoma Co.
Hi OKBIRDS, This morning, Tuesday (25 Aug. ), Sharon Henthorn found a juvenile WHITE IBIS at the south end of Northeast Lake off NE 50th St. in n. OKC, Oklahoma Co. I made it there just in time to watch it preen briefly before taking flight andZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart External Email ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd
Hi OKBIRDS,
This morning, Tuesday (25 Aug.), Sharon Henthorn found a juvenile WHITE IBIS at the south end of Northeast Lake off NE 50th St. in n. OKC, Oklahoma Co. I made it there just in time to watch it preen briefly before taking flight and heading south at about 11:42am. Steve Davis and I both obtained photos prior to its departure. It appears to be the first documented occurrence for Oklahoma Co. based on eBird data, which is quite surprising. There are multiple records for neighboring Canadian Co. near Lake Overholser as recent as Aug. 2015. Although it may not return to Northeast Lake, it’s around somewhere, so just a heads up to those out looking for it or others. Very nice find, Sharon!
Date: 8/23/26 6:44 pm From: Cheryl Kilpatrick <dr.k_psych...> Subject: Re: Red-headed Woodpeckers, raising a chick in central Oklahoma
Thank you for sharing your lovely photos of one of my favorite birds.
Cheryl Kilpatrick On Sunday, August 23, 2026 at 08:24:42 PM CDT, <jwdavis...> <jwdavis...> wrote:
Thank you for your report and sharing the link to your pictures documenting the woodpecker behavior. The Red-headed woodpecker selects snags without bark as a defensive behavior to reduce rat snake predation. Lakes that flood forest provideZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart External Email ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEndThank you for your report and sharing the link to your pictures documenting the woodpecker behavior. The Red-headed woodpecker selects snags without bark as a defensive behavior to reduce rat snake predation. Lakes that flood forest provide that kind of habitat for a while. If they cannot find a slick trunk snag, they will select a power pole that fits their needs. There are 85 species of birds and 49 species of mammals that need snags, and there is always a housing shortage.
My dad, Captain Sam Davis, called the Red-headed Woodpecker his fence builder. The Red-headed Woodpecker would nest in the power poles in East Texas and when the power company replaced the poles, he could buy the discarded poles for his fence corner post and thus they helped indirectly as his fence builders.
Jerry Wayne DavisHot Springs, AR
From: okbirds <OKBIRDS...> on behalf of Bryan Reynolds <nature_photo_man...>
Sent: Sunday, August 23, 2026 4:04 PM
To: <OKBIRDS...> <OKBIRDS...>
Subject: [OKBIRDS] Red-headed Woodpeckers, raising a chick in central Oklahoma All, On 9 July, I photographed a Red-headed Woodpecker at the Purcell City Lake (Cleveland County). It was perched at the top of a cut-off snag close to a picnic area. I got some shots and it flew off. I went back the next day to do some generalZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStartExternal Email ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEndAll,
On 9 July, I photographed a Red-headed Woodpecker at the Purcell City Lake (Cleveland County). It was perched at the top of a cut-off snag close to a picnic area. I got some shots and it flew off. I went back the next day to do some general bird photography, and by golly, another Red-headed Woodpecker was at the same spot. Again, I photographed it, but this time I noticed a second one nearby. That second one flew to the snag and stayed there for a bit just looking at me. Then the thought occurred that perhaps they have a nest in the snag. I repositioned my vehicle to get a better look and sure enough, there was a nest hole. So, over the next several days, I went out and photographed both the male and female flying to and from the nest hole. I even got a couple shots of them mating. After over a month of photographing them, I finally got a glimpse of the chick peeking out of the nest hole. I had hoped to get a shot of the chick with its head out of the hole and a parent feeding it, but I never saw the chick extend out of the hole. I went back again on Thursday (20th) and sat in the heat for over an hour before I noticed the chick had already fledged and was flying around the area. I could not get a shot of it, but hopefully, I'll be able to in the next few days.
A couple observations... Both parents worked to bring in food. When it was early in the feeding process, the parents came and went fairly regularly, probably every 10 minutes or so. Later in the process, it ended up being about every hour (maybe due to the heat). The larger of the two (the female?) would hang nearby in another snag and stayed in the shaded side of a limb. I would hear her pecking at the tree and for a while, I had no idea what it (she?) was doing until I noticed it pick up a mangled grasshopper. I realized, it was smashing up heavy-bodied insects and letting them sit in the sun to soften them. Then, it would take the mangled food to the nest. I noticed softer bodied prey (a few spiders and one caterpillar) were brought in straight away and whole. Another time, an offering of berries was brought in. I'm not sure, but they looked like greenbrier to me. The chick refused these.
I had a blast watching and photographing these two new parents and their baby. It was blazingly hot; to get the correct light-angle and clean photos, I had to sit in my black vehicle in direct sun with the engine off. I could barely last an hour at a time (one day it was 106), but both parents didn't stop working and both were constantly panting. To share this excitement, I've created an album in Flickr: Red-headed Woodpeckers raising a chick in central Oklahoma | Flickr
Comments are always welcome.
Take care,Bryan
Bryan E. ReynoldsPhotographer/Writer/Consultant/Speaker
My nature and wildlife photography portfolio
Date: 8/23/26 6:25 pm From: <jwdavis...> <jwdavis...> Subject: Re: Red-headed Woodpeckers, raising a chick in central Oklahoma
Thank you for your report and sharing the link to your pictures documenting the woodpecker behavior. The Red-headed woodpecker selects snags without bark as a defensive behavior to reduce rat snake predation. Lakes that flood forest provide that kind of habitat for a while. If they cannot find a slick trunk snag, they will select a power pole that fits their needs. There are 85 species of birds and 49 species of mammals that need snags, and there is always a housing shortage.
My dad, Captain Sam Davis, called the Red-headed Woodpecker his fence builder. The Red-headed Woodpecker would nest in the power poles in East Texas and when the power company replaced the poles, he could buy the discarded poles for his fence corner post and thus they helped indirectly as his fence builders.
Jerry Wayne Davis
Hot Springs, AR
________________________________
From: okbirds <OKBIRDS...> on behalf of Bryan Reynolds <nature_photo_man...>
Sent: Sunday, August 23, 2026 4:04 PM
To: <OKBIRDS...> <OKBIRDS...>
Subject: [OKBIRDS] Red-headed Woodpeckers, raising a chick in central Oklahoma
All, On 9 July, I photographed a Red-headed Woodpecker at the Purcell City Lake (Cleveland County). It was perched at the top of a cut-off snag close to a picnic area. I got some shots and it flew off. I went back the next day to do some general
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All,
On 9 July, I photographed a Red-headed Woodpecker at the Purcell City Lake (Cleveland County). It was perched at the top of a cut-off snag close to a picnic area. I got some shots and it flew off. I went back the next day to do some general bird photography, and by golly, another Red-headed Woodpecker was at the same spot. Again, I photographed it, but this time I noticed a second one nearby. That second one flew to the snag and stayed there for a bit just looking at me. Then the thought occurred that perhaps they have a nest in the snag. I repositioned my vehicle to get a better look and sure enough, there was a nest hole. So, over the next several days, I went out and photographed both the male and female flying to and from the nest hole. I even got a couple shots of them mating. After over a month of photographing them, I finally got a glimpse of the chick peeking out of the nest hole. I had hoped to get a shot of the chick with its head out of the hole and a parent feeding it, but I never saw the chick extend out of the hole. I went back again on Thursday (20th) and sat in the heat for over an hour before I noticed the chick had already fledged and was flying around the area. I could not get a shot of it, but hopefully, I'll be able to in the next few days.
A couple observations... Both parents worked to bring in food. When it was early in the feeding process, the parents came and went fairly regularly, probably every 10 minutes or so. Later in the process, it ended up being about every hour (maybe due to the heat). The larger of the two (the female?) would hang nearby in another snag and stayed in the shaded side of a limb. I would hear her pecking at the tree and for a while, I had no idea what it (she?) was doing until I noticed it pick up a mangled grasshopper. I realized, it was smashing up heavy-bodied insects and letting them sit in the sun to soften them. Then, it would take the mangled food to the nest. I noticed softer bodied prey (a few spiders and one caterpillar) were brought in straight away and whole. Another time, an offering of berries was brought in. I'm not sure, but they looked like greenbrier to me. The chick refused these.
Date: 8/23/26 4:04 pm From: Bryan Reynolds <nature_photo_man...> Subject: Red-headed Woodpeckers, raising a chick in central Oklahoma
All,
On 9 July, I photographed a Red-headed Woodpecker at the Purcell City Lake (Cleveland County). It was perched at the top of a cut-off snag close to a picnic area. I got some shots and it flew off. I went back the next day to do some general bird photography, and by golly, another Red-headed Woodpecker was at the same spot. Again, I photographed it, but this time I noticed a second one nearby. That second one flew to the snag and stayed there for a bit just looking at me. Then the thought occurred that perhaps they have a nest in the snag. I repositioned my vehicle to get a better look and sure enough, there was a nest hole. So, over the next several days, I went out and photographed both the male and female flying to and from the nest hole. I even got a couple shots of them mating. After over a month of photographing them, I finally got a glimpse of the chick peeking out of the nest hole. I had hoped to get a shot of the chick with its head out of the hole and a parent feeding it, but I never saw the chick extend out of the hole. I went back again on Thursday (20th) and sat in the heat for over an hour before I noticed the chick had already fledged and was flying around the area. I could not get a shot of it, but hopefully, I'll be able to in the next few days.
A couple observations... Both parents worked to bring in food. When it was early in the feeding process, the parents came and went fairly regularly, probably every 10 minutes or so. Later in the process, it ended up being about every hour (maybe due to the heat). The larger of the two (the female?) would hang nearby in another snag and stayed in the shaded side of a limb. I would hear her pecking at the tree and for a while, I had no idea what it (she?) was doing until I noticed it pick up a mangled grasshopper. I realized, it was smashing up heavy-bodied insects and letting them sit in the sun to soften them. Then, it would take the mangled food to the nest. I noticed softer bodied prey (a few spiders and one caterpillar) were brought in straight away and whole. Another time, an offering of berries was brought in. I'm not sure, but they looked like greenbrier to me. The chick refused these.
Excitime times are here. Good report.
Ellie Womack
Grove, OK
On Sun, Aug 23, 2026 at 12:46 PM Devin Bosler <devinbosler...> wrote:
> Hi OKBIRDS, After a few weeks of weekly checks, I stumbled upon an
> immature RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD at Myriad BG in downtown OKC late this morning,
> Sunday, 23 Aug. It appears to be defending the sages and other blooming
> flowers at north end of Crystal
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> Hi OKBIRDS,
>
> After a few weeks of weekly checks, I stumbled upon an immature RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD at Myriad BG in downtown OKC late this morning, Sunday, 23 Aug. It appears to be defending the sages and other blooming flowers at north end of Crystal bridge conservatory near the wheel hubcap pyramid sculpture. There were 1-2 female RTHU nectaring there too. Fairly rare fall occurrence away from nectar feeders in central Oklahoma. Otherwise, not much happening migrant-wise. A yellow-shafted Northern Flicker and N. Yellow Warbler were only other transients detected during my visit.
>
> Good birding,
> Devin Bosler
> Edmond, OK
>
>
Hi OKBIRDS, After a few weeks of weekly checks, I stumbled upon an immature RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD at Myriad BG in downtown OKC late this morning, Sunday, 23 Aug. It appears to be defending the sages and other blooming flowers at north end of CrystalZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart External Email ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd
Hi OKBIRDS,
After a few weeks of weekly checks, I stumbled upon an immature RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD at Myriad BG in downtown OKC late this morning, Sunday, 23 Aug. It appears to be defending the sages and other blooming flowers at north end of Crystal bridge conservatory near the wheel hubcap pyramid sculpture. There were 1-2 female RTHU nectaring there too. Fairly rare fall occurrence away from nectar feeders in central Oklahoma. Otherwise, not much happening migrant-wise. A yellow-shafted Northern Flicker and N. Yellow Warbler were only other transients detected during my visit.
Date: 8/21/26 4:17 pm From: <arbour...> <arbour...> Subject: Red Slough Bird Survey - August 21
Time Started: 0700
Time Finished: 1437
It was mostly overcast and warm, with a little on and off wind, on the survey today. The clouds kept it from getting too hot. 52 species were found. A few migrant Passerines were around. Black-bellied Whistling Duck numbers are increasing as they start to stage on Pintail and Lotus Lakes. Anhinga and Cattle Egret young are fledging on Pintail Lake now and at least two Neotropic Cormorant nests are active with young. It hasn't rained in a month or more and things are getting vary dry down here. Here is my list for today:
Date: 8/17/26 10:20 am From: Resa Pace <resagrpace...> Subject: Re: Birds and Water
Thanks for the reminder, Jerry. Yesterday, I observed a new Red-bellied
Woodpecker at one of my water bowls. He was not yet fully feathered and
had trouble reaching the water. I had left it low in a big bowl on
purpose, afraid of making it too deep. I wanted big birds to be able to
bathe, but be safe. Later, I put in a couple of bricks.
BTW, the birds favorite water dish is the very expensive Yeti bowl I got my
dog (me) for a Christmas present. For some reason they love that bowl.
Canine visitors also prefer it.
Next, there was a new female Cardinal drinking from the low spots in my
flagstone path. Her mother would visit the bird feeder and then fly
straight to her to feed her whatever she had gathered from the feeder. A
very rewarding morning!
Resa Pace
On Mon, Aug 17, 2026, 10:39 AM <jwdavis...> <jwdavis...>
wrote:
> During this extreme heat bird lovers need to remember to provide water for
> the birds for drinking and bathing. In our hectic lifestyles, this is one
> important habitat element that may not come to mind. Birds need water every
> day of the year
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> During this extreme heat bird lovers need to remember to provide water for
> the birds for drinking and bathing. In our hectic lifestyles, this is one
> important habitat element that may not come to mind. Birds need water every
> day of the year for drinking and bathing. In my surveys over multiple
> states, only one birdbath in 100 had water. Are you the one percent that
> always has water available? It helps to have water placed in a shady
> location with perches close by so birds can access and wet birds can escape
> predators. If such a location in not possible, at least make sure your
> sources contain water all of the time.
> Most of my birds are relatively quiet now. This makes it more difficult
> for me to know what species are still in my yard. The Carolina Wrens,
> Tufted Titmouse, Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied, and Pileated Woodpeckers, and
> Northern Cardinals are still pretty vocal. The calls of the Summer
> Tanagers, Blue-gray gnatcatchers, Red-eyed Vireo, Great-crested
> Flycatchers, Yellow-billed Cuckoos and others are now infrequent. My four
> waters are in the backyard where I can see and monitor the birds and water
> availability at all times. Birds also come to the sprinkler when I am
> watering the hummingbird and pollinator flowers. Do your birdbaths have
> water? It is critical for their survival.
> Another reminder, it is not too early to start preparing for Fall and
> Winter habitat needs. Skip mowing and let the seed heads develop for Fall
> and Winter feeding. Be working on making sure your brush piles are well
> developed to protect the birds in winter weather and provide another
> foraging substrate.
>
> Jerry Wayne Davis
> Hot Springs, AR
>
Date: 8/16/26 9:04 am From: Devin Bosler <devinbosler...> Subject: early Olive-sided Flycatcher - Martin Park NC, Oklahoma Co.
Hi OKBIRDS, The slow trickle of early southbound landbird migrants was highlighted by a relatively early FOF Olive-sided Flycatcher at Martin Park NC this morning, Sunday, 16 August. Apparently one of the earliest-ever documented fall transientZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart External Email ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd
Hi OKBIRDS,
The slow trickle of early southbound landbird migrants was highlighted by a relatively early FOF Olive-sided Flycatcher at Martin Park NC this morning, Sunday, 16 August. Apparently one of the earliest-ever documented fall transient OSFL for the OKC area based on eBird data. The only other passage migrants detected were Northern Yellow Warbler, an adult Chipping Sparrow, and Baltimore Oriole.
Date: 8/14/26 3:12 pm From: <arbour...> <arbour...> Subject: Red Slough Bird Survey - Aug. 14
Start Time: 0640
Stop Time: 1326
The survey started off clear, warm and calm but soon turned hot and windy. 55 species were found. Black-bellied Whistling Ducks are starting to stage early at Red Slough this year with most being on Lotus and Pintail Lakes. Huge numbers of vultures appeared to be migrating as they were in huge groups very high up and appeared to be moving southwest. A lot were too far away to I.D. to exact species but most appeared to be Turkey Vultures. I have seen them do this in the late summer several times before. No storks or spoonbills yet. Here is my list for today:
