Worried about Woodpeckers

We keep a Laurel Oak snag (dead tree) in the yard because they offer valuable habitat for a number of species. Last year, we had a red-bellied woodpecker work on a hole in the snag. For whatever reason (I think the lower part of the tree was still alive and too hard to dig out) the woodpecker abandoned the effort. This year, I was very happy to see another one, or maybe the same one, working on a nest in the same snag only a little higher up. Red-bellied pairs are known to use the same tree each year. Eventually, we had two birds coming and going from the nest. Recently, we noticed the parents bringing food back to the nest and could hear the chirping of several baby birds.

A parent leaves the nest to forage for more food.

Food is brought back for the babies.

Looking down at the human neigbors.

Yesterday, my wife called and explained what happened. I guess the woodpeckers hollowed out a pretty large nest and the recent heavy rains must have soaked the dead wood above the nest. The snag snapped in half right at the point of the nest. We were worried that the babies were gone.

One parent stayed perched on the broken snag, chirping up a storm.

It was a relief to see that the parents were still bringing food back to the nest and you could hear the nestlings chirping again.

More food.

I guess enough of the nest is left for the babies, but now they are completely exposed. I'm usually a fan of letting nature take its course, but these woodpeckers suffer from a lack of suitable habitat in urban areas. I'd entertain the idea of building a nest box, but I don't even have a ladder tall enough to reach them. The nestling baby birds need about one month to develop enough to leave the nest. I'm afraid it's only been about a week or two since they hatched. Good luck little woodpeckers!