What is boring hole in tree?

[posie]

Something is boring a hole in my tree, right in the fork of a branch. I think the tree is a Goat Willow, and the hole looks just as though it has been made with a drill bit. My little finger just fits into the hole, nearly up to the first joint. The area around the hole of about 2''x2'' is also damaged, but shallow. I don't want to have health problems with the tree, but at the same time I don't really want to disturb anything else. Help please.....Posie..

[Moonmoth]

How about a hungry woodpecker searching for beetle grubs ? this probably means that there is a dead bit there, but doesn't follow that the whole tree is dying .At least I hope not Having said that there could be a shopping trip in there for you

[posie]

Originally Posted by Moonmoth

How about a hungry woodpecker searching for beetle grubs ? this probably means that there is a dead bit there, but doesn't follow that the whole tree is dying .At least I hope not Having said that there could be a shopping trip in there for you

Well Moonmoth, there are also some flat pieces of bark taken off the main trunk, but low down,No holes, just peices of bark off, about 2"x2" or maybe a bit less. Actually, I've just had a thought, that I can see the tree from here, so might be able to see the culprit, .... Bless.....Posie..

[bigdave60dog]

Yeah! Sounds like a woodpecker made the mess around the hole pecking after a beetle or moth lava that made made the original hole.
Does that work for you?
Dave

[BlueJam]

Set up a camera to capture whatever it is!

[posie]

Originally Posted by bigdave60dog

Yeah! Sounds like a woodpecker made the mess around the hole pecking after a beetle or moth lava that made made the original hole.
Does that work for you?
Dave

Yes, and we have seen both spotted woodys and one green woody in the garden. Also I just read on the web that woodys will take eggs to eat out of other birds' nests...Also does anyone know if Mallard ducks are strictly vegetarian ?.....Thanks....Posie..

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by posie

Yes, and we have seen both spotted woodys and one green woody in the garden. Also I just read on the web that woodys will take eggs to eat out of other birds' nests...Also does anyone know if Mallard ducks are strictly vegetarian ?.....Thanks....Posie..

Mallard are opportunistic omnivores. There was a good image of a female Mallard with a frog in her bill courtesy of BirdGuides last week. They will take a wide range of invertebrates, fish fry, tadpoles,etc + been known to feed on dead animals too.

[posie]

Bluejam, good idea,but I haven't got one available at the moment, will watch and use binocs if I see it there...Thanks....Posie..

[posie]

Thanks aeshna5, only 3 are thinking of settling in on my pond, guess they'll gobble up all my pondlife....Posie....