Smashing Away

There are now a lot of birds working the various suet feeders here.  I'm seeing all of the usual suspects (wrens, bluebirds, Pine Warblers, catbirds), plus grackles, thrashers, and robins.  And it seems most of all, the mainline backyard woodpeckers.  The Red Bellied (shown) and Downy species appear to be making suet decimation a professional activity.  They're out there all day!  Plainly their protein demands are way up, and natural supplies are not keeping pace with their needs.  I'm hoping this translates into young ones.  Otherwise the horrifying sight of woodpeckers smashing suet cakes to powder would be a little too much to bear!  It will be a long spring...