What’s that? Who made those methodical carvings in the bark of a consumption weed bush?
These are one type of hole made by a yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius). The bird will lick sap from these shallow holes. Yellow-bellied sapsuckers also make neat rows of round, deep holes to find some sap.
You might hear the knocking sound of a woodpecker while out on the trails, especially this time of year. Look up and see if you can find the bird. The yellow-bellied sapsucker has a red cap. Males have a red throat, too. Their chest is yellowish-brown and their wings are black with white spots.
Have you seen a yellow-bellied sapsucker or its holes? You can read more about them on the All About Birds website.