Woodpecker

[Jimny14]

Just seen this guy on our feeder this morning, I have it on good authority he's been before but here's a poor picture of him. I'm going to say Greater spotted woodpecker but if anyone thinks otherwise please correct me.

[burnie]

Nice Woodie

[scarey55]

My guess would be greater spotted. There is a lesser spotted but it is a good bit smaller (about sparrow size) and then there is the green woodpecker that is usually found in the garden digging for grubs with it's beak.
This might be helpful :
https://www.bto.org/sites/default/fi...tification.pdf
They are beautiful aren't they, you are lucky to have one visit the feeder

[Snadger]

My allotment pliot is next to a wooden dene. For the last couple of days I have heard a woodpecker rat a tat tatting.

Either that or they have just opened it up as a firing range!

[Jimny14]

Thanks for the info scarey, much appreciated. Is there any thing we can do to help him out n encourage him to stay other than making sure the feeders are topped up?

[4Shoes]

If you are well surrounded by trees / cover, you could try a nest box. Needs to be fairly big - You'll need a 45mm hole or so. Pack it full of wood chips or a rotten log. Woodpeckers like to make their own hole. You are just making sure the nest is protected.

[scarey55]

I'm not really an expert but "mine" like penuts mostly and fat things, not fat balls although I guess they'll use them if they're hungry but the smooth hanging thingies...
hang on, I'll get a pic
Here you go:


Peanut cakes.

As I say, I'm no expert but that's what the ones at my birdfeeder like.

[chris_m]

My guess would be greater spotted. There is a lesser spotted but it is a good bit smaller

Yep, that's a Greater Spotted, unless the feeder's a small one.

The Lesser Spotted is about 1/2 to 2/3 the size of the Greater Spotted - it's so named because it's spotted less often, OK, I'm kidding

[DannyK]

Unless you have to, don't prune off dead branches. They'll harbour food for woodpeckers.

Get some mesh feeders too. Nuthatches like them too as they can then feed head down

[4Shoes]

I'm not really an expert but "mine" like penuts mostly and fat things, not fat balls although I guess they'll use them if they're hungry

They like the fat balls too. I have a cage that takes 4, and they hang upside down to get at them.

We don't have the cover or trees to keep their interest, only the feeders in a lean day

[MarkPelican]

Protect your birdboxes!

For the last three years my bluetits have been predated by greater spotted woodpeckers. They reach in through the hole in the front and take all the youngsters.

[Jimny14]

Good point Mark, I don't have bird boxes at the moment but lots of small birds of different varieties so they're nesting somewhere.

[veggiechicken]

My apologies, but every time I see the thread title I have to make this noise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNxujJGnbB4

Sorry, I'll get my coat