A Small Wonder

              The UK has just three resident species of woodpecker and all three appear in Crow Wood, although the Green Woodpecker likes the margins and surrounding fields best of all so is heard more often than seen. Of the three, the Lesser Spotted is by far the rarest. Numbers have declined dramatically over recent years and now it is "red-listed" as a species, being a very rare breeder - recent estimates are of just 150 to 200 pairs in the whole of Kent. Unlike the familiar Great Spotted, the Lesser is highly elusive. It is a tiny bird, no bigger than a sparrow and when trees are in leaf, with large territories to live in, they are virtually impossible to spot foraging high in the canopy. But in early Spring the males begin their hunt for suitable females and it is then they can be quite noisy, calling and drumming, often from the tops of dead trees. March and April are the key months to see them, if at all.

            Nearly every year since becoming the owner of our wood I have had the thrill of finding one of these wonderful birds. And this year has proved no exception. I had just parked the truck in the wood a few days ago and had got out ready to top up the bird feeder when I heard the characteristic Ki-ki-ki call from a dead oak that borders the wood. It was a fine male in high spirits so busy doing its thing that it barely noticed me far below enjoying this memorable spectacle. Thankfully it stayed around long enough for me to enjoy some stunning views

            Research suggests that Lesser Spots prefer damp woodland with Birch and Alders to nest in and this is certainly not what we have in our wood. It is possible there are two or more pairs in the 250 acres of the whole wood but where exactly they might nest remains a complete mystery. My only hope is that this little chap will find a suitable partner and a safe place to raise a much needed family.

The male has a small red cap

They are creatures of the tops of trees, foraging under bark for invertebrates

....and happy upside down

note the characteristic white bars on the back

Sometimes known as the Barred Woodpecker for this reason, I think a better name

A male Great Spotted Woodpecker for comparison - note the size, the large white panel on the back, the long bill and placing of the red panels

By contrast the diminutive Lesser Spotted, a third the size of its cousin

.......hoping a female will answer his call