Return of the Woodpecker

Today was a special day - I had the privilege of helping out with a woodpecker release.

A few weeks ago a homeowner named Sharon found an injured woodpecker in her backyard.  It had suffered some sort of trauma, possibly it was stunned by a window strike and then was further injured by a cat, who by no coincidence was standing close to the bird when it was found.

Sharon picked up the bird, who was in pretty bad shape, and took it to Toronto Wildlife Centre, where they took it in and gave it their usual dose of TLC.  Today was release day!

The woodpecker had been finishing off its recovery in a comfortable outdoor enclosure complete with a great woodpecker house - a log had been hollowed out, then reassembled to simulate a tree hole.  When I caught up the woodpecker and we put it into it's "tree hole" the bird began to rat-a-tat from the inside of the log while I was holding the log in my arms!  I was amazed at the force it used to peck.

When we got to the release site, TWC rescue staff member Andrew climbed a ladder to fasten the house to a tree so that the woodpecker could come out in his own time. 

It had been quiet for most of the morning but it seemed to sense our excitement and decided to try to release itself!  The rat-a-tatting went on for quite some time.

When the cover was lifted off the entrance, the woodpecker stood in the doorway for a moment and took it all in.  

Excuse the awful pics - lighting was terrible!

When he was done assessing, he left his temporary home and flew into a nearby tree.  He began to peck the moment he landed, and for several minutes he explored the tree.  It was like he never left.

Amazing to see how an animal that badly injured could make such a great recovery - another TWC success story!  It is also great to know that there are people who will take the time to care for an injured animal and drive it to where it can get help.   For more information:  http://www.torontowildlifecentre.com