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Diagnosing the cause of the decline of the lesser spotted woodpecker
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Male lesser spotted woodpecker
Lesser spotted woodpeckers declined by 72% between 1974-1999 according to CBC monitoring and is therefore red listed. The species is now too rare to be adequately monitored by the BBS scheme, but the Repeat Woodland Bird Survey suggests declines since the mid 1980s of between 43% and 59%.
Reasons for the decline are as yet unknown. This project aims to understand the ecology of the species and recommend conservation measures to reverse the decline.
Project objectives
- To determine habitat requirements of lesser spotted woodpecker.
- To locate nests and establish nesting success.
- To examine habitat, predation, parental care and food availability in relation to nesting success.
Work planned or underway
Data analysis and production of results ongoing
Who to contact
Dr Elisabeth Charman
Conservation Officer
E-mail: elisabeth.charman@rspb.org.uk
Partners
Natural EnglandFunding
Natural England through the Action for Birds in England partnership.