One adult bird was seen on July 24, 2005 at the junction of Shaw Road and North Pakenham Concession 12, about 6 km NNW of Pakenham, ON, and inside the Ottawa Checklist Circle by only a few hundred metres. This site has hosted nesting Red-headed Woodpeckers in each of the summers from 2002 to 2005 inclusive. A small pasture woodlot with dead trees in it and a farmstead with large trees seem to provide the attraction. Often seen flying between telephone poles and the woods or trees.
Directions from Ottawa: From Highway 417 (The Queensway), take the Antrim exit (39 km west of the Hwy 417 - 416 split) and drive northeast 0.8 km to Antrim and Highway 17. Turn left or northwest on 17 and go 6.2 km to the Galetta Sideroad. Turn left onto it and drive 3.0 km to where it becomes Highway 15 (Lanark 29). Then continue southwest for another 1.1 km to leave Highway 15, but continue straight southwest onto Shaw Road or Lanark 22. Continue 1.3 km further on it to the junction of Shaw Road and North Pakenham Concession 12. Source: Birding Ottawa Guide: http://www.neilyworld.com/mississippi16.htm. Larry E. Neily Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Birding Ottawa Website: http://www.neilyworld.com/birdguide.htm
