One of my favorite bird encounters so far this year was getting a great look at the Red-cockaded Woodpeckers at the Weymouth Woods-Sandhill Nature Preserve in Southern Pines, NC.

These neat little Woodpeckers are on the endangered species list because of the steep grade of habitat decline, due to deforestation of the mature long leaf Pine trees that they depend on for nesting.
The Weymouth Woods Preserve is a very special place located in the heart of N.C. as it boasts a significant number of breeding Red-cockaded Woodpeckers who nest in the stand of old growth pines located within the preserve. While a visit here does not necessarily guarantee a sighting of this rare bird your chances of spotting one or significantly increased, especially this time of year!

To go see them for yourself, get there early in the morning as soon as the preserve opens to avoid the crowds and the heat.

Photo by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc
Canon 5Ds