Focus on... Spring Woodpeckers
09 Mar 2016
Hearing a drumming woodpecker in your local woodland is usually one of the first signs spring is on its way. Great and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers start drumming to stake out their territories in February, with activity peaking in March and early April.
Great Spotted Woodpecker is widespread in Britain and has recently colonised Ireland. In comparison to Lesser Spotted, it has a louder drum, fading at the end. The drumming of the scarce and declining Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is quieter and this species frequently advertises for a mate by using its distinctive call. Green Woodpecker (absent from Ireland) rarely drums and is most often found by its familiar 'yaffling' call.
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