There is no final report out yet on the Great Backyard Bird Count of 2006. We'll post a link as soon as it becomes available. Meanwhile, the photo gallery is up. Great stuff...

Photo by Glynn Wilson

This image shows a what appears to be a yellow-bellied sapsucker, sphyrapicus varius, captured on Saturday, March 4, 2006.

Great Backyard Birdcount 2006 Photo Gallery

The woodpecker in the photo was perhaps mistaken at first as a red-naped sapsucker, but that would put it way out of its range. It came just two days after we constructed the bird blind in the backyard to get ready for the spring migration.

Unfortunately, this shot was snapped after the official birdcount ended.

According to the official research on this species, most non-birders believe that the yellow-bellied sapsucker is a fictitious bird created just for the humorous name. In fact, it is a widespread species of small woodpecker. Its habit of making shallow holes in trees to get sap is exploited by other bird species, and the sapsucker can be considered a "keystone" species, one whose existence is vital for the maintenance of a community.

Yellow-bellied sapsucker facts from Cornell.

Listen to the warning sound it makes, recorded the same day on an old jam box with a strong, built-in condenser microphone, followed by the noise it makes pecking for food on a hickory tree

Yellow-bellied sapsucker warning call.

Yellow-bellied sapsucker pecking sound.

See comments for expert identification...