Green Woodpecker - Likely to return??

[HamieRaptorcliff]

Hey All

I have a couple of bird stands in my back garden, supplying peanuts, a wild seed mix, fat balls, sunflower hearts, thistle seed and mealworms.

I get the same visitors everyday: woodpigeons, magpies, sparrows, starlings, blackbirds and blue tits. Its very cool, and well worth the effort and expense of filling the feeders most days.

However, this morning, a green woodpecker arrived, spent a few minutes on the peanuts and then bobbed off into the distance, in the funky way they do.

My question is this; is this likely to be a one off stop? Or are they known to keep returning to gardens to feed? I know the stuff I currently have out isn't ideal for them, and I'm open to any recommendations for better treats (I know insect based food get the party started).

I've seen 3 or 4 of them in a field about 300 yards away from my back garden, but I'm just so surprised it stopped here. My garden is surrounded by other, less bird friendly gardens, which makes me think it was just a passing visit. But any ideas or thoughts would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

Ps, my thistle seed is not seeing much action - even the pigeons turn their nose up at it. Anyone have any success with it?

[hotpepper]

We have a number of green woodpeckers around - but they dont visit the peanuts all that often - it is a surprise when they do - I think they are nervous!

hp