Wild Wednesday - Great spotted woodpecker
There are three species of woodpecker in the UK; the green, the lesser spotted and the great spotted woodpecker, which is the most common.
Population of this species has increased since the 1970s by more than 300% and has gained a UK conservation status of green - read more here: Birds of Conservation Concern | BTO - British Trust for Ornithology
Found across mainland Britain, the great spotted woodpeckers like mature woodland, coniferous trees, and parks or gardens with plenty of mature trees.
They are active throughout the day, but like most species of bird they are especially active first thing in the morning .
You will see them in late winter or early spring - listen out for bursts of rapid, continuing tapping through the trees, the official term for this is ‘drumming.’ They not only peck the trees to feed , but this drumming is also a form of communicating with each other. In the spring, they also drum to excavate holes in trees to make nests.
To encourage these beautiful birds into your garden, if you have the mature trees, especially pine trees that they favour - offer water and food , such as peanuts, sunflower seeds, and fat/suet balls, placed in a bird feeder - they also love pine nuts. Try discarding apple cores across your garden as they like to peck at these to see if they can find grubs inside.
If you have dead trees and logs in the garden, you may be lucky enough to see woodpeckers . They play an important role in a healthy balanced ecosystem of a garden, as they tend not to damage healthy trees.
Telling the difference between the male and female birds is easy - the male has a red patch on the back of his head, where the female's head is simply black and white , but they both have a bright red underside at the base of the tail.
They have one brood each year, with the female laying between 5 and 7 eggs and carrying out most of the incubation. Both parents will bring food to the young. Pairs will stay together throughout the breeding period, but will often change partners before the next season .
Great spotted woodpeckers are strongly territorial, typically occupying an area of about 12 acres, which are defended mainly by the male, a behaviour which attracts females.
Read more here: Great spotted woodpecker | The Wildlife Trusts