Woodpecking

This week there has been an unusual amount of bird activity in the garden.  Unusual not just because of the normal frantic behaviour because of the breeding season with all the new chicks begging to be fed, but because we had two species of woodpecker in the same day.  Visits from woodpeckers to our garden are few and far between, though we habitually seem to get greater spotted woodpeckers during the breeding season topping up from the peanut feeder.  With luck we will also witness them bringing their scarlet-capped chicks to let them feed themselves so that they know where the supermarket is if they run out of natural food.

The green woodpecker is a very rare visitor, even though we have a plentiful supply of ants for them.  I suspect that the plentiful supply of feline predators may have some impact on the rarity of green woodpeckers which must of necessity feed on the ground.  Sadly this one didn't stick around long enough for me to get the camera out, but I've included one that I took earlier in best 'Blue Peter' tradition.

Great spotted Woodpecker - female

Great Spotted Woodpecker - male

These photos clearly show the red patch at the nape of the neck that distinguishes the male from the female.  You can see in the photos below, however, that the male and female have quite different markings around the head and neck quite apart from the red patch.
 You can also clearly see the two pointed feathers in her tail.  These have very little to do with flight, but rather they are exceptionally strong feathers that support the bird against the trunk of the tree when she is poking the bark looking for insects.

Great Spotted Woodpecker - male

Great Spotted Woodpecker - female

Green Woodpecker