I had just picked up my camera to go out with my dog when a flash on the peanut feeder through the windows caught my eye. I dare not open even the inside door, so these shots were taken through two sets of double glazing. Although a little editing was needed to remove some reflections, I think they go some way to doing justice to this smart little woodpecker.
The greatest of faults, I should say, is to be conscious of none.
Thomas Carlyle
What beautiful pics. I'm afraid it's not a Lesser Spotted though, but a juvenile Great Spotted.
psst, want to see my blog? http://mazzaswildside.blogspot.co.uk/
Lovely pics. I was very excited to have one visit, like aiki said it's juvenile Great Spotted (i only knew that because of what I learned from my posted pic the other day).
when you feel down take a look outside...nature will uplift you
Thanks for the 'deflation' aiki I will amend the title - the bright red cap and small size put me off! It was very agressive towards the house sparrows which were almost as big as this chap!
The red crown on juvenile Great Spotted Woodpeckers can sometimes mislead people in thinking it's a Lesser. Lesser's are tiny birds - sparrow sized - and are barred on the wings and don't have the large white patch.
Bad luck but they are nice photos of a very attractive bird anyway.
Regards TJ
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A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song. (Chinese proverb)
Juvvie Great Spots are also pink under the tail, which will become bright red when they are adults.
Lesser Spots have dinky little bills and 'small bird' proportions, head relatively big compared to body. I found a pic of a Lesser Spot on a peanut feeder so you can see how little it is: http://www.wildbirdseeds.co.uk/lincs/images/stories/bird-images/lesserspot/lesser-spotted-woodpecker.jpg
Hi Red Grouse
Hopefully now the juvenile woodpecker has discovered your feeding station he will return time and time again. I had one arrive in my garden 3 or 4 weeks ago and he/she now appears two or three times a day. I used to have an adult woodpecker that would fly away at the smallest movement, but the juvenile isn't quite so nervous and hangs around for quite a while to let me get photos! Hopefully yours will too!
Super photos of this youngster. Here is an adult in a similar position. I like the way they use their tails to support themselves/
Hope you like it. Note the Squirrel damage to the feeder. Little devils!
Take care all, Stich.
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More lovely photos :) Stich, yours is a juvenile too. Only juvs have the red crown, which is retained until they moult in late summer. Adults have a black crown (with small red nape patch in males).
Thanks Aiki, I learn, I have a lot to learn, every day. I must try harder, as was said on my school reports.
Some fab shots there folks. Thanks for all the comments. At least the one I took last year in an oak tree WAS a lesser spotted.
Fortunately, I dont get grey squirrels in my garden, although I did encounter one just 120 yards away a couple of years ago, and they are very plentiful in the woods just 400 yards away!