Winter in the Wyre Forest, the sad demise of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, plus a quick Slimbridge visit
Glossy Ibis Our garden Greater Spotted Woodpecker has started drumming again on his favourite tree, a sure sign that spring is not a million miles away. He does this as breeding season approaches to proclaim ownership of his territory and warn off any rivals. With this in mind, and a bright cold sunny morning forecast for Wednesday, I set off for the Wyre Forest in Worcestershire to see if I could locate any of my garden drummers much rarer cousins, the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. I arrived in the forest just before dawn on a beautiful morning faithful to the weather forecast, perfect conditions for a bid of territory advertising. I was further encouraged by a Greater Spotted Woodpecker drumming loudly near the car park. I made my way to a spot that has been good in the past where dead partially rotten trees had been favourite drumming spots. The drumming on old rotten trees is said to carry further. My experien...