Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers

[thebeard]

I know there's been threads before on these, but i thought i'd start one myself, as its turning into a bit of a mission for me to see one of these little beauties now! since being a birder proper, i've seen countless GSWs since my first sighting last april, at wollaton i see at least one every time, but i've never seen a LSW. i know a lot of people don't, down to their shyness and scarcity, though i know a few sites where they do reside.

what i wanted to know was any information/advice on seeing these birds. i've got some info from nottinghamshire birdwatcher's website -

• look amongst roving tit flocks
• look at the smaller branches of trees, high up, for anthing that looks like a woodpecker, even nuthatch-like, or having the 'undulating' flight of a woodpecker
• listen out for calls and lighter, higher pitched drumming than GSWs

i took this into account when i went out today, but it was hard. i'm afraid it was a case of you can't see the (lesser spotted) woodpeckers for the trees, althogh i saw loads of GSWs.

also, is there much difference between a LSW and a GSW's tree-holes? i can only imagine that size is the only difference, but is there any way to confidently tell them apart, as where i was today, which is noted as a good site for both species, there were countless trees with holes covering them.

cheers in advance for any info, and hopefully any tips on this thread can be enjoyed and taken on board by other interested WABBERS.

ps. sorry for any abbreviation used..... i'm not writing LSW and GSW out in full every time

[david156]

Hello 'thebeard'

I haven't seen a LSW for about 20 years!
Like yourself I really want to see one and have been hunting around. I've been told and have read that the best time to see them is march when they are displaying and when there are no leaves.
Will watch this thread with interest and good luck in your hunt.

David

[RobinP]

Now is the best time to see one before the leaves are on the trees. They are best located by sound, usually first thing in the morning (about 7 am currently) as they drum rapidly with an electric drill like sound, usually you can locate them after that, they sem to like high trees like poplars or oaks.

Hope that helps

Robin

[darrenm]

try Clumber Park (and earlier in the year the better) near the chapel area before the crowds get there and Colwick Park around the Walled Garden area on the back footpath and little brick bridge but be carefull it can be a bit 'dodgy' at times, nuff said. The last Lesser spots i found were in these areas two years back and hopefully still around.

[Melus]

Try Sherwood Forest NNR. Its a 33 Bus from Nottingham to Edwinstowe. Early morning is best before the dog walkers invade. I have heard Lesser Spotted every day this week and had good view yesterday in the sunshine. Also Woodlark just in nearby and a couple of Meally Redpoll in the centre. I can pm you info on where your most likely spots are but walking around the paths is the best way until you hear them drumming then just wait in the area and sooner or later you will get a visual. If you visit and have no luck ask at the rangers office for me or Andy and we will take you to the most likely areas.

Good luck
Gary

[thebeard]

cheers gary i'll let you know if i decide to go down for sure,

thanks
tom

[darrenm]

in winter anywhere with a lot of Willow or Sallow stands can also be worth searching and try scanning the tops of the branches and reedbeds can also produce Lesser Spots and have found them in all three in past years. They are a species that can be a nightmare to find though now and have not had a sniff of one for the last two years.

[RKB]

The size difference with GSW and LSW is massive, and so is the nest hole. LSW holes can be mistaken for Willow Tit. GSW holes are much larger and would let a Starling in.

Try using playback (judiciously), both call and drumming. Less is more - you have to use it as if you were a bird, not a chav on a bus!

[JB9302]

Funnily enough my brother rang this morning delighted at hearing/seeing all 3 types on Wed morn in the woodlands around Derwent Res ( peak district ) 7am ish.
He said the LSW was right at the top of a tree on the trunk in wooddpecker pose .

Julian