Great Spotted Woodpecker on Fat ball Feeder

[KentYeti]

Only ever seen a Great Spotted Woodpecker eating from my peanut feeders.

But today this Juvenile really tucked into the fat ball feeder contents.

I guess food is food!

Photographed as the light failed in the build up to a massive thunderstorm here in Mid Kent.

Hope it does the same again in sunshine, so I can get a better image to crop for the real close up.

Bryan

[shadowx]

Superb!

They look good close up to me so I would be very proud!!

EDIT: I wonder if you obtain a log and suspend/root it upright and fill it with goodies you could get a regular visitor?

[KentYeti]

Thanks for that.

I may try putting goodies in my perching post to see if they go for that.

Trouble is at the moment the perching post is seeing quite a lot of activity with certain sparrows, (no names no pack drill !), trying to eat the nyger seed from the feeders that hang off it. Causing a disturbance to the Goldfinches! Don't want to add to that disturbance.

Had two Juvenile GSWs in the garden later on today. Both back on the nut feeders though!

Bryan

[jaelen]

That is a stunning photo!

It's funny that your sparrows like eating the nyger seeds- I've had a feeder out since the spring that the flock of about 20 sparrows who are regular visitors here haven't touched, (they prefer the fatballs and regular seed feeders.)

I'm starting to wonder if there isn't something wrong with that nyger seed.

I did have a GSW on our fatball feeder a few months ago, but my attempts to photograph it were so embarrassingly bad that I deleted it.

[KentYeti]

Originally Posted by jaelen

That is a stunning photo!

It's funny that your sparrows like eating the nyger seeds- I've had a feeder out since the spring that the flock of about 20 sparrows who are regular visitors here haven't touched, (they prefer the fatballs and regular seed feeders.)

I'm starting to wonder if there isn't something wrong with that nyger seed.

I did have a GSW on our fatball feeder a few months ago, but my attempts to photograph it were so embarrassingly bad that I deleted it.

I think they are sparrows from the first brood this year. And they have a go at eating anything in the garden! Peanuts, fat, seeds and now the nyger seeds. I think the seed is OK. I get it from a very reputable supplier, and the Goldfinches love it.

Bryan

[werdnal]

You can make a woodpecker feeder. We've done several over the years. Get a short length of log, a thick tree branch or even a piece of chunky wood will do so long as its not treated.

Drill some holes up the sides with a large drill bit, up to 1 inch diameter is good, but not right through. Then either mix some lard with bird seed or get some monkey nuts (the ones still in the casings), and stuff the holes full. Hang up and watch the GSWs go mad for them. It seems to trigger their natural instinct to dig ito the holes as they would find their natural food in cracks in the bark on trees, and as it take a little more work to get the food out, they hang around longer for their meal, thus giving you a better view.

Lovely GSW photos by the way!

[KentYeti]

Originally Posted by werdnal

You can make a woodpecker feeder. We've done several over the years. Get a short length of log, a thick tree branch or even a piece of chunky wood will do so long as its not treated.

Drill some holes up the sides with a large drill bit, up to 1 inch diameter is good, but not right through. Then either mix some lard with bird seed or get some monkey nuts (the ones still in the casings), and stuff the holes full. Hang up and watch the GSWs go mad for them. It seems to trigger their natural instinct to dig ito the holes as they would find their natural food in cracks in the bark on trees, and as it take a little more work to get the food out, they hang around longer for their meal, thus giving you a better view.

Lovely GSW photos by the way!

That sound great. Thank you.

I'll be making one of those as soon as I can get hold of a bit of "safe" wood to use.

Cheers,

Bryan

[htcdude]

Really excellent again KentYeti I don't know how you do it with the 300mm (although you have a converter I think??)

Still brilliant shots as usual

Nige

[g8ina]

Try a block of cheap plastic cheddar, but taste it first make sure its not salty, GSWs love the stuff.

[sunnydale]

Lovely shots Bryan