Pileated Woodpecker Question

.
December 22 Email:

We recently noticed a young, female Pileated Woodpecker chiseling out a hole in a large beech tree right behind our house.  Do you know if this is normal behavior for these birds?  I know that they usually drill for insects and the males excavate the holes for the nest in the spring.  It just seemed odd to me to see a female excavating a hole in the winter.  I would venture to guess she has created a place to stay warm during the cold weather but I am not sure.  Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Rick Hamlin . . Rick, I don't know.  Let's see if anyone else has an answer.  .