The decline of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.
17th March 2024
The enigmatic Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is an extremely difficult bird to see in the Brecon Beacons, in fact damn near impossible! These diminutive woodpeckers are on the ‘Red List’ of birds in the UK after a massive 83% decline in numbers since 1970. Some explanations have been offered up as the reasons for this decline, primarily the ongoing loss of ancient and mature woodland which is thought to be a key factor, and also the removal of dead and rotting wood may have also had an impact. There are now thought to be no more than 2,000 pairs left in the UK which is an awful statistic.
These delightful little bird are usually found high up in mature trees searching for food by crawling around small tree branches, their flight is a series of very deep loops, much more exaggerated than other woodpeckers because of their very short wings.
They emit a chipping sound which is a bit weaker than their Great Spotted cousins.
Their drumming is also a more muted and subdued affair, lasting a bit longer than the Great Spotted's and is also much less 'Staccato' in nature.
Please click the link and press play to listen.
https://xeno-canto.org/842218
Quite unlike the harshness of the Great Spotted's.
Their song has been likened to a quieter version of a Sparrowhawk – a series of Kee Kee Kee notes.
https://xeno-canto.org/832184
Not to be confused with the Nuthatches delivery of somewhat similar notes.
https://xeno-canto.org/840562
Over the last week Susan and I have heard a bird drumming and singing in the same area but as yet haven’t been able to see it. Just seeing one would be great – photographing one would be another much more difficult matter.
Here is a photograph of a male bird I took in Bulgaria, where they don’t have the declining numbers that we have.
I really wish things could be different here.
These delightful little bird are usually found high up in mature trees searching for food by crawling around small tree branches, their flight is a series of very deep loops, much more exaggerated than other woodpeckers because of their very short wings.
They emit a chipping sound which is a bit weaker than their Great Spotted cousins.
Their drumming is also a more muted and subdued affair, lasting a bit longer than the Great Spotted's and is also much less 'Staccato' in nature.
Please click the link and press play to listen.
https://xeno-canto.org/842218
Quite unlike the harshness of the Great Spotted's.
Their song has been likened to a quieter version of a Sparrowhawk – a series of Kee Kee Kee notes.
https://xeno-canto.org/832184
Not to be confused with the Nuthatches delivery of somewhat similar notes.
https://xeno-canto.org/840562
Over the last week Susan and I have heard a bird drumming and singing in the same area but as yet haven’t been able to see it. Just seeing one would be great – photographing one would be another much more difficult matter.
Here is a photograph of a male bird I took in Bulgaria, where they don’t have the declining numbers that we have.
I really wish things could be different here.