There are three types of woodpecker in the UK – the great spotted, the green and the lesser spotted woodpecker.
The green woodpecker is quite distinct from the other two due to its colour and size. As the name suggests, its upper body is green. It has a pale underbelly and a large, sturdy body.
The great and lesser spotted woodpeckers, however, have similarities. The great spotted is common in the UK and can be seen in many parts of the country all year round. The lesser spotted woodpecker, on the other hand, is quite rare, and can only be seen in a small handful of places in England and Wales. Here, we take a look at this rarely glimpsed little bird and offer some tips on where to see it.
Appearance
The lesser spotted woodpecker is black and white, alike its larger cousin, the great spotted woodpecker. However, it is much smaller and more like a sparrow in size. It has white bars on its wings and males have a red cap. In contrast, great spotted woodpeckers have a red rump and no white bars on the wings. Lesser spotted woodpeckers are equipped with short and powerful beaks for feeding, along with two forward-facing and two backward-facing toes, which enable them to stand vertically on tree trunks.
Where do they live?
The lesser spotted woodpecker lives in places with old, dead and rotting trees, where they nest and feed. They can be seen in woodland, parklands and even gardens if the environment is right. They can be found in areas of southern England and a few local spots in Yorkshire and Wales. They are absent from Scotland and Ireland. They feed on insects and invertebrates, hammering the rotten trunks of old trees to get at the beetle larvae within.
How to spot them
Lesser spotted woodpeckers are not only rare, but shy in nature too. Their drumming is quieter, and they stick to the higher branches of trees to nest and feed. If you are in an area known for them and hear the distinctive drumming, remember to look up, where you might see them fluttering from branch to branch. They tend to be most active in spring, when their call and drum is more likely to be heard. In addition, there are fewer leaves on the trees at this time of year, so your chances of catching a glimpse are naturally higher.
It is thought that these birds have declined by about 83% since the 1970s, with perhaps about 2,000 pairs left in the UK. This could be due to a loss of habitat or from great spotted woodpecker competition. If you are lucky enough to see one, make sure you keep a respectful distance, don’t interrupt its feeding and stay well away from nesting sites so that it doesn’t feel threatened. With the right conservation measures, the lesser spotted woodpecker can hopefully make a comeback over the coming years.
