Now This Is Birding When You Have Kids!

Paul and I read that a Red-Headed Woodpecker was being spotted in New Haven, Connecticut. With pretty specific directions to Edgewood Park in New Haven, Paul, his two brothers and I piled into my truck and we headed to New Haven hoping to find our target bird.

Upon reaching Edgewood Park, we stepped out and walked a short distance down a path, past a rec house and skateboard park, and next to a dog pen. This is where the direction said the bird was being sighted.

Within seconds, Paul heard a tapping, looked up....and there was the bird. Incredible views of an immature Red-Headed Woodpecker. With the diagnostic white patches on the bottom of the wings, there was no mistaking our bird. I snapped several photos, and watched as the bird flew to several nearby trees. Fifteen minutes later, we were back in the truck, heading back home.

When you have kids, these are the kinds of birding ventures that make up for the hours of looking and finding nothing.