WOODY WOODPECKER

We get a pair of green woodpeckers here - I had the idea that they peck in the grass for ants? I love seeing them, anyway.

I can't get a sharp close-up, either! Your photos are better than mine, though. :-)))

lovely yaffles. i get the greater spotted ones. there were a pair and one youngster last year.

You lucky GOYER we only get the red ones. I have never seen a green one in our garden yet my neighbours have them

Apparently it IS ants they are after, Spritz - he'll find plenty under MY lawn :-)) and :-(((

He's lovely, never see those here, we get the Lesser Spotted, or is it the Greater spotted, can't remember. they are difficult to photograph, very reactive I find, they're off in a flash at the slightest movement, so well done for getting this. My woodpecker woke me up yesterday at the crack of dawn hammering the nut feeder...

I was going to ask, what is he looking for? Ants.
Our greater spotted paid a visit the other day.

I've never seen a Lesser or Greater Spotted. They'd be more than welcome to help sort my ans out!!

There's a photo in my photos, Ponty - he's sitting in the top of a tree and like you, I had to take it with the zoom

Just seen it Bamboo. Great photo. It looks a bit precarious up there!

I wouldn't mind, but he's on the balcony a lot, on the nut feeder, no more than 4 feet from the window, but can I get a shot of him? Absolutely not, he's off as soon as I get near the window.

Typical. He enjoys your hospitality but won't stay long enough for a chat:-)

lol;-)) Actually, thinking about it, that description applies very well to my sons...

Good photos :o)

Thanks Hywel. He seems to be popping in for a snack regularly now so I will keep my eye out and hope he comes a little nearer.

We have them here and last year a parent came down with 2 young ones. They were after the ants that live between the edging stones and the lawn. Havent seen them this year though although I see them fly over and hear that familiar call. Great photos, they are very shy so difficult to photo

What a lovely visitor Ponty ! I get a lesser spotted visiting now and again, but as everyone else.... far too quick to snap !

Good photos..

Wonderful Dawnsaunt. Hope mine brings his nippers next year!

What's the call like, then, Dawnsaunt, or anyone who's heard them? The spotted woodpecker makes this loud "chip chip" so I always know when he's about - are they the same?

Hi Bamboo
Try this link - you can listen to the green woodpecker and all the other birds too :-)
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/g/greenwoodpecker/

Brilliant!!!

We had a Greater Spotted one on a nutfeeder a couple of months ago but nowt since:0((