Thank you for the comment. Also, thank you for the advice, that is how I did it, they usually pick the peg that is closest to the maple tree side, and they shuttle back and forth. So with the shot mostly composed and focused on the closest peg, when he lands its just short job for the auto focus motor to jog into position, and if luck holds the composition is still a go and I shoot till the buffer is full or until he is gone.
the feeder though has six staggered pegs, and it can be frustrating my shots when they hope from peg to peg to find the optimum sunflower seed. Or their choosing the best defensive position from predators?
Good luck with the pileated woodpecker, I have a northern flicker that was nesting in my maple tree as of the end of last season, I have not seen him since then. but since last season someone has added another cavity to the tree. I think the chickadees are cavity dwellers too, but are not builders of such. The second hole is visible from my house windows, but I have yet to see an inhabitant.
Last year the flicker kept himself hidden for more than six months before he let me see him. It was really cool.
good luck getting the woodpecker picture,
Robert