Green Woodpecker

[wizzo]

I was driving near me home today and spotted a flash of colour on a grass verge. As I pulled over, I could see this magnificant Green Woodpecker 'grazing' away, seemingly oblivious to me. I grabbed my bino's and tried to climb quietly out of the car. As I lifted my bino's to my eyes, it flew into a tree. I was astounded by it's sheer beauty and would love to take a photo of one eventually. Does anyone know if these birds are territorial and likely to be around this same area again? Thanks - Wizzo

[richnfamous]

Originally Posted by wizzo

I was driving near me home today and spotted a flash of colour on a grass verge. As I pulled over, I could see this magnificant Green Woodpecker 'grazing' away, seemingly oblivious to me. I grabbed my bino's and tried to climb quietly out of the car. As I lifted my bino's to my eyes, it flew into a tree. I was astounded by it's sheer beauty and would love to take a photo of one eventually. Does anyone know if these birds are territorial and likely to be around this same area again? Thanks - Wizzo

My experience is that they are quite territorial and keep a regular 'beat'. We have loads round here, and they visit certain perches so seeing them isn't hard when you get to know 'your patch'.

Their call is very loud and unmistakable - get to know it and you'll hear them calling and answering, I suppose they're declaring territory. Their flight is also distinctive: the head and tail appear to be symmetrical, they fly with a typical woodpecker 'dipping' motion, and the wings are raised very high on the upbeat and very low on the downbeat.

[richnfamous]

This pic was taken in very poor light but shows the deep wingbeats:



The dead tree was a regular perch which it visited more than once a day.

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by wizzo

...... Does anyone know if these birds are territorial and likely to be around this same area again? Thanks - Wizzo

Yes, they're very territorial. We have them visiting our garden on a regular basis as their favourite food is ants and they frequently poke around in our lawn. In my experience they probably spend as much time ground feeding as they do in the trees/air

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls and Avocets)
Jeff Harrison - Wildlife, Nature and Landscape Photography

[wizzo]

Thanks Jeff and Rich. I'm going back there next week to see if I can get a shot or two. Jeff, going back a while ago if you remember. I was asking about Kingfishers and how best to photograph them. I was out fishing the other day and guess what perched right on the end of my rod? You've guessed it - a Kingfisher! I don't know if they make a habit of this, but I was just so surprised, I literally froze. It was gone in an instant, but hasten to add I didn't have a camera on me anyway. Not that I would have been able to do anything if I had! I had an interesting chat with a guy who does a lot of work for the BBC wildlife unit recently. Without giving too much away, he said that a lot of shots of Kingfishers that he'd managed to get, were taken using a fishtank and some minnows! Rich, I see you live just up the road in Glastonbury. That has to be my favorite place in this part of the world. Lovely town.

[richnfamous]

Glastonbury's a mad place but I love it - we have a great community here.

If you're after Green Woodpeckers, I suggest walking from town towards the Tor via Bushey Combe - up Dod Lane. When you get through the iron kissing-gate at the top, you're amongst the old orchards and it's alive with Greenies up there (and Great Spotted Woodpeckers). There are quite a few Jays too but they're very shy.

[Bwrack]

Originally Posted by wizzo

I was driving near me home today and spotted a flash of colour on a grass verge. As I pulled over, I could see this magnificant Green Woodpecker 'grazing' away, seemingly oblivious to me. I grabbed my bino's and tried to climb quietly out of the car. As I lifted my bino's to my eyes, it flew into a tree. I was astounded by it's sheer beauty and would love to take a photo of one eventually. Does anyone know if these birds are territorial and likely to be around this same area again? Thanks - Wizzo

Their call has been described as a 'yaffle', which the bird is sometimes
known as

[wizzo]

Thanks for that advice Rich, I will do that mate and let you know how I get on

[wizzo]

Interesting Bwrack, I will listen out for that - thanks, Wizzo