Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers will be feeding their chicks in the nest, so now is a good time to check the woods where they were earlier in the year. If you find a nest please watch carefully and send observations, in confidence, to Lesser Spot Network via woodpecker-network.org.uk

Thermal imaging of an active LSW nest site monitored for LesserSpot Network
Limitations seem to be time of day, it’s of limited help once everything gets some sun on it.
Thanks again to South West Optics for the HakMicro binocular loan.

Promising results using HikMicro thermal binoculars to monitor woodpecker nests. Big thanks to Russell South West Optics for his time, advice and kind loan of the optics.
Image is a GSW nest at 6.30am today.
LesserSpot Network

I’m not sure what the fecal sack of 4 day old woodpecker chicks is meant to look like, lots of these being removed today, also removed was a piece of egg shell.
On the menu were the usual mix of inverts including a bit of crunch in the form of a bug.
#woodpecker BTO

A couple of days ago I captured this interesting piece of footage.
Up until this point I’d not seen any fecal sacks removed and change over was quick.
Here one appears to listen near the base of the nest chamber, maybe the other adult was trying to encourage a chick to poo.

A mixture of crane flies, spiders and beetle larvae are being fed to the chicks, Yesterday the time between feeds were anything between 10 and 40mins.
Here’s a normal change over routine.

Re posting this as X didn’t upload the better quality images.

Tried to capture some ‘in flight’ shots of the woodies, just to show off those lovely wing feathers, plus a little slow mo. Luckily I’ve got a few wks to practice this.
GusRobin bto_somerset1 Somerset Birds

A super day in a 1200mm cube watching nesting Great-spotted woodpeckers (GSW)
GusRobin used his tech to have a 4sec peek and check the brood status.
Gus had a telescopic pole that extends >9m with an endoscope, this helps LesserSpot Network to monitor the GSW rarer cousin.

Rough and ready photography hide.
Old pallet, old ply-board, old jute sacks and yes, that is fake grass on the roof.
Reclaimed off cuts will suppress the sound of rainfall on the roof. Putting it up in the orchard in darkness tonight, then woodpecker nest watch begins tomorrow.

Does anybody have a thermal imaging camera that could help monitor woodpecker nests?
Some holes are too high to use our cameras and a thermal camera could help us know when incubation has started and, latterly, when birds have fledged.

A short clip of the male drumming. #birds #wildlifephotography #NaturePhotography RSPB Birders

Our chairman Keith Betton will be on The One Show tonight with a film about Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. 7pm on BBC1 BBC The One Show LesserSpot Network

The moment when a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker lands a few feet away and plays hide and seek for a couple of minutes before coming out into the open. 😀

Coffee while listening for woodpeckers this morning on the Quantocks.
First signs of Lesser Spotted incubation - lucky to see a pair switchover at the nest.
More to find - please let LesserSpot Network know about any you hear or see in Somerset, Devon (or anywhere else!).

What a moment on Dartmoor National Park this afternoon.

Just standing still watching the world go by when I noticed a small bird land next to me. What a surprise to find it was a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and it was at eye level, plus she didn't mind me being there at all. 😀

Breeze didn’t help, but all three woodpeckers heard this morning on a loop walk from Dead Woman’s Ditch, Quantocks LesserSpot Network Somerset Birds

Some footage of the LSW RSPB Middleton Lakes Amazing to watch and great to get others to connect with this bird, showing every half hour or so from 630 to 10am yesterday. Staffs Bird News

I couldn't see or hear any lesser spots around. Then I noticed some chippings blowing in the wind and out pops the head of the male. He seems to making excellent progress despite the weather. Both females came by a few times. He had a look but kept on excavating LesserSpot Network

Really interesting behaviour to watch. Whilst a male made a nest hole, 2 females were shadowing each other very nearby for over an hour, often calling and attacking each other. Most probably competing for the males territory. LesserSpot Network

LesserSpot Network Male today at blaenbran Community woodland in South wales female also but unable to get a snap 😁