Woodpeckers drumming?

[Deb London]

As far as I know, Great Spotted Woodpeckers have increased in numbers in the last few decades. If this is the case, could the reason that they can be heard drumming much earlier (at least in some areas/regions) be that the increased competition means a different behaviour pattern is developing? In twenty years time, you might be trying to remember the time that you didn't hear the Woodies in the autumn.

We heard the "drumming" Crow the other day. The OH said that it sounded like a woodpecker, but there was no doubt that it wasn't.

[Dogghound]

Its hard for me to comment on your location Roy, but around here we have very large populations of greater spotted woodpeckers due to the large amounts of suitable woodland. If its linked to territory then high population densities probably result in this behaviour. The woodpeckers which are heard around here in September are almost certainly resident birds. The northern major birds we get dont usually start turning up until mid-October. By which time most if not all drumming ends until around December when it starts up again. The coastal areas which I bird in generally have insufficient tree cover for migrant woodpeckers to settle in and they quickly move inland.

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by Deb London

We heard the "drumming" Crow the other day. The OH said that it sounded like a woodpecker, but there was no doubt that it wasn't.

"Drumming" crows are always interesting to hear! (A vocal sound, for those who haven't heard it, which is similar enough to drumming woodpeckers to catch out the inexperienced, but which doesn't really sound the same).

Woodpeckers have certainly increased considerably, and can now be found in many garden/park areas where they used to be irregular - but we still don't seem to get them drumming in September (though if I ask enough people I'm sure that I'll find some who have heard it at least on occasion).

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Its hard for me to comment on your location Roy, but around here we have very large populations of greater spotted woodpeckers due to the large amounts of suitable woodland. If its linked to territory then high population densities probably result in this behaviour. The woodpeckers which are heard around here in September are almost certainly resident birds. The northern major birds we get dont usually start turning up until mid-October. By which time most if not all drumming ends until around December when it starts up again. The coastal areas which I bird in generally have insufficient tree cover for migrant woodpeckers to settle in and they quickly move inland.

Thanks for that. I didn't really think that immigrants were likely to be involved.
Perhaps woodpecker numbers in your area are at saturation point, while in my area there is still room for expansion? Perhaps Deb is correct and it will become a regular thing eventually!

[Deb London]

A report this morning brought this thread to mind (although it is significantly later in the year now, but still of interest/relevance). My friend was out cycling this morning and as she changed gear there was the characteristic audible clicking that gears make - to which a woodpecker responded by drumming (species unknown). To prove that this really was the case, she changed the gear again (a few times) and the same thing happened. I walk in the area some days and I have never heard a woodpecker drumming yet (this season). So it seems the sound from the bike set it off.

[redstart1]

Back in october in my local wood you would hear several GSW drumming, but on a closer look they had wedged a pinecone in the tree and was pecking them, maybe this is what you have heard


Andy.

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by Deb London

A report this morning brought this thread to mind (although it is significantly later in the year now, but still of interest/relevance). My friend was out cycling this morning and as she changed gear there was the characteristic audible clicking that gears make - to which a woodpecker responded by drumming (species unknown). To prove that this really was the case, she changed the gear again (a few times) and the same thing happened. I walk in the area some days and I have never heard a woodpecker drumming yet (this season). So it seems the sound from the bike set it off.

Interesting!
I've heard of other birds reacting to sounds they have apparently mistaken for songs/calls/etc, but that doesn't make this any less interesting!

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by redstart1

Back in october in my local wood you would hear several GSW drumming, but on a closer look they had wedged a pinecone in the tree and was pecking them, maybe this is what you have heard


Andy.

Woodpeckers will also do this with nuts and acorns. It makes a different sound from territorial drumming though (which experienced observers will recognise) because territorial drumming makes use of the resonance of dead wood, and is in characteristic bursts.

Nice photo btw.

[Southcoasters]

Interesting contributions. A male GSW here often drums on a dead pine branch now but what may be unusual this time of year is allowing a female to remain in the vicinity and come to ‘his’ fat-feeder.
A pair of Nuthatches also visit the table together now 2 or 3 times a day and the male's already playing his Springtime pipes, Pe Pe Pe Pe Pe (Sorry about that) out of topic anyway.