Woody Again

This is my pair of GSW. Male on the left, female on right. They have been coming in regularly now for a few week. Initially when they flew away they went down the wood. Eventually when they left they flew to a tree nearby. Obviously their chicks had fledged and they were feeding they nearer the source of food. Unfortunately none of the chicks came to feed, maybe there is still time.

My First Woodie

I thought a few months ago that a Great Spotted Woodpecker had came to my feeding station. I didn't really see it but caught a glimpse of red. My daughter also thought she had saw one some weeks later.

Yesterday (Wednesday 30 May 2012), about half ten in the morning, a female Great Spotted Woodpecker came and fed on the coconut shell filled with suet etc.. When I say fed, I mean it was filling its beak with food and flying off presumably to feed its young. I managed to get some pictures but unfortunately they were not very good. Thought this would be a one-off as we are beside a busy road and play park, but was I wrong. Just before eleven this morning in she came again doing exactly the same thing. I lost count of the number of times she came to the feeder but I needed more than my fingers and toes to count. On one occasion just before midday I thought, wait a minute there is some red on the nape. The female's mate was now here. They must have a few chicks as they were in and out all day. The coconut shell was put out just before 10 o'clock this morning and by seven o'clock tonight it was empty. Between the Woodpeckers and the Starlings they cleaned it out. I have since put out a six ball suet feeder and I can't see them lasting long. I think this could be an expensive time coming up. I will try and get more pictures but I need to be careful I don't scare them off. Blogger has changed since I was last on and I'm still trying find out how it works.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

The FIL (Father-in-Law) has had Great Spotted Woodpeckers visiting his garden for the last few years. They love the peanuts. This year (and last) the male brought some juveniles to feed. Eventually the young birds would come themselves. When he first brings the chicks, he doesn't allow them on the feeder. He keeps them at a distance, in a nearby tree or bush and feeds them. Eventually he lets them onto the feeders. The chicks are comical getting the hang of the feeders. The female doesn't seem to come, although FIL is not too sure as sometimes when feeding, the angle makes it difficult to see the crown and nape. The one in the bush is a juvenile, the one on the feeder is the male.Picture quality not great, will need to get a better camera.