Pileated Woodpecker female That’s what Lily Fans dubbed Honey’s window den yesterday after both Ted and Honey squeezed into it. They probably were unaware that Bear Center visitors and staff could watch through the open window end. Ted exited once to cool off in the pond and then went right back in with Honey. Video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lm75Gd1X9I&.
For history, Charlie Meyer built the window den in the early days of the Bear Center. In designing it, he made it far bigger than any wild bear den we ever saw and then made it bigger yet because Ted is extra big. We added straw for Ted or Honey to snuggle down into with the walls helping to hold it snug against their sides. A few years later, Lily Fan volunteers and staff made it a foot wider and the door taller so big Ted could sleep in more positions and could more easily enter and exit. We never dreamed Ted and Honey would use it together. Who would think they’d fit? They proved it could be done, at least at this time of year. Ted must be very happy. Many times he has wanted to be near Honey and bawled loudly when she kept her distance. Suddenly, it’s okay. And, for Honey, it has to be Ted. She rejects Lucky and seeks out Ted. Yesterday, she waited for him in his chalet den, while Ted waited for her in her window den. She may have come to him. We’ll see how long the good feelings last and if Lucky will get a turn to be near Honey this year.
Lucky does know how it feels to snuggle next to Honey. His second winter, as a yearling, he got a sweet invite from Honey to share the rock den with her. At first he couldn’t believe it. She had chased him away the entire time he knew her. But there she was speaking nicely to him. He touched noses with her and snuggled between her and the back wall of the den for the winter. A couple years later, Lucky thought he had the spacious straw-filled bunker den to himself—the same bunker Holly used this past winter. As Lucky was settling in that winter, Honey decided to join him. We don’t know what Lucky thought, but it didn’t turn out to be snuggling like in the rock den. They slept about as far apart as they could get, and whenever Lucky bothered Honey she told him to stop. Honey never shared a den since, until now.
By today, things had changed. Ted and Honey were not as cozy today—not seen closer than 10 feet. No mutual tongue-licking like a couple days ago. But Honey did visit Ted at his pen when it was Ted’s turn to be there.
Holly was out all day starting at 8:45 AM, and probably will be out all night. She was visible at 11 and 1 but out of sight the rest of the time. The rain and strong wind might partially explain that. Holly will be the lone star for the enrichment broadcast tomorrow at 11 AM.
We believe the pileated woodpecker eggs have hatched, possibly yesterday (June 11). The pattern of nest visits has changed drastically with the parents relieving each other as frequently as within 54 minutes. We wouldn’t see them carrying food to the young in their bills because they feed by regurgitating many small insects like ants, beetles, caterpillars, etc. The white tips on the wings of this female are unusual, like on the wingtips of the female that used this nest in 2006. Pileated woodpeckers over 13 years old have been reported from Minnesota, so it could be the same one.
Lily is back to foraging on wild foods over 5 miles from the community feeding sites and the WRI Cabin. Jewel, Juliet, and Aster also are okay. Lots of visits from bears at WRI last night, including Samantha and her 3 cubs.
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center
All photos taken today unless otherwise noted.