Greater Spotted Woodecker

tabbykitten · #1 (**permalink**) 14-04-2006, 08:26 AM

Yippee.
Heard him for years in the wooded area at the end of my garden (not owned by me boo hoo)
BUT yesterday I saw him for the first time.
He had flown down to investigat the fat ball I had hung from the bird table, then took off at a point where I could watch him. I happened to be at my bedroom window which is where I keep my binoculars.

the birds are rather unsettled at the moment . Major building work going on about 50 yards away. Very noisy. AND about a dozen trees have been cut down. Means I don't have the feeding I normally get in the garden.

glsammy · #2 (**permalink**) 14-04-2006, 09:17 AM

Fabulous sight aren't they? I still remember the thrill I got when I saw my first, only a few months ago!

Kev Lewis · #3 (**permalink**) 14-04-2006, 09:48 AM

it really is a beautiful bird when seen up close. The green woody is also very special

Ollie · #4 (**permalink**) 14-04-2006, 02:07 PM

I can imagine your delight at seeing the Woodpecker tabbykitten, can still remember how I felt when I saw my first Kingfisher. I'm sure when the building and noise settles down most of the birds will return to feed again. I am very pleased for you.
Ollie

paulst · #5 (**permalink**) 14-04-2006, 02:48 PM

I think the Great spotted Woodpecker is a wonderful bird, in our local park (about 100 acres) you can often hear the bird before you see it. Im lucky enough to walk through the park on my way to work and manage to spot or hear woody at least a couple of times a week

paul

carlj · #6 (**permalink**) 15-04-2006, 07:49 AM

Went to monkey forest with Amber yesterday, a massive site within trentham estate, old woodland. What got me excited? Well the nuthatch running up and down the tree trunks and hearing a greater spotted woodie - still yet to see him!

Wolfhill · #7 (**permalink**) 15-04-2006, 08:05 PM

While out and about yesterday I paid a visit to Loch of Kinnordy, this is an RSPB reserve near Forfar. I have been a few times before, not to watch the water birds but to watch the small birds that visit the feeders set up in the surrounding woodland. As soon as I arrived at the feeders I saw a Red Squirrel, a male Brambling and a Great Spotted Woodpecker, every time I go it amazes me how bold the Woodpeckers are as the only other times I have seen GSW's they have been very timid and flighty. But the ones at the Loch will often fly into the trees next to the feeders and hop about a bit before flying away.....however needless to say I haven't got a good clear photo yet but I'll keep trying!!

nicole · #8 (**permalink**) 15-04-2006, 08:49 PM

Congratulations on spotting your first woody tabbykitten

. They are a fabulous little bird. They always bring back memories of Professor Yaffle from Bagpuss whenever I see one

tabbykitten · #9 (**permalink**) 16-04-2006, 08:34 AM

I'm still excited at actually having seen the woody. although we don't own the wooded area backing on to our garden we do have two huge elm trees right at the end. that was where woody was perched.. We also have nuthatches there. Most of our neighbours are hacking trees down but we love ours. I'd better confess that I'm something of a tree hugger!

paulst · #10 (**permalink**) 16-04-2006, 09:39 AM

They are brilliant birds but so hard to photograph, they wait till ive set my camera up and then fly off, they are doing it on purpose just to wind me up

paul

glsammy · #11 (**permalink**) 16-04-2006, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulst

They are brilliant birds but so hard to photograph, they wait till ive set my camera up and then fly off, they are doing it on purpose just to wind me up

paul

Ah, you've discovered birds inbuilt anti-photography defence mechanism. They know exactly how long it takes to focus and shoot; so they fly off a split second before you press..or even as you press the shutter..

tabbykitten · #12 (**permalink**) 17-04-2006, 08:02 AM

Photography?!
Don't get me started.
I used to have quite a simple but effective camera.
Got reasonable results until about two years back when a cherry tree in our front garden just HAD to be removed.
Hubby decided that this was a DIY job, taking the branches off a few at a time and also digging up the roots.
I thought a photographic record of the whole thing would be good All went well until the day our son helped us remove the main trunk - using a winch attached to his car.
Just as the tree keeled over my camera jammed. The film had got fouled on the mechanism. Not only that but the snarl up forced the camera back open. then before I could sort anything the rewind mechanism tripped in so the whole film was exposed.

think I'd rather WATCH than photograph birds