The audio you're hearing is indeed Spring making its impactful presence with the rhythmic sound of hammering.
In the realm of avian life, woodpeckers have long been a fascinating subject, with their unique behaviours and significant roles in ecosystems. One such species, the lesser spotted woodpecker, is currently facing a dramatic decline in the UK, while its larger counterpart, the great spotted woodpecker, is thriving.
The collective noun for a group of woodpeckers is a 'descent', which accurately describes the way they start at the top of a tree and work their way down. This methodical approach is not just a quirky habit; it's part of their role as ecosystem engineers, controlling insect populations and making cavities that other species can use. They are also known as an 'indicator species', with their diversity being a first-rate indicator of the overall biodiversity and health of woods and forests.
However, the lesser spotted woodpecker, smaller than the great spotted woodpecker and easily differentiated by the chequerboard barring on their back and lack of red under the tail, is currently being monitored due to its dramatic decline. The primary cause of this decline is the loss and degradation of woodland breeding habitat, leading to a severe reduction in their population. Between 1967 and 2020, their UK breeding population declined by approximately 99%, indicating a devastating collapse.
Organisations like the RSPB have taken notice of the woodland bird declines, highlighting that habitat loss and fragmentation are critical issues affecting the lesser spotted woodpecker, as well as other woodland specialists such as willow tits and wood warblers. Although not explicitly detailed in the search results, common causes of woodland bird decline often include changes in woodland management, reduction of deadwood (which hosts woodpecker prey like larvae), and disturbances that negatively affect breeding success.
On a more positive note, the great spotted woodpecker population has rocketed since the 1970s and now stands at an estimated 140,000 pairs, making it the most common of the three native woodpeckers in the UK. They are known for their loud drumming, used to claim territory, with urban great spotted woodpeckers even using gutters, drainpipes, and satellite dishes for this purpose. An unmated male great spotted woodpecker can drum up to 600 times a day and can be heard up to half a mile away.
These woodpeckers, belonging to the Picidae family, which began to evolve 60 million years ago, have a unique adaptation that aids them in their foraging. Their long, coiled sticky tongue allows them to successfully spear and extract insects from deep within trees. The green woodpecker, the largest of the UK woodpeckers and most easily identified by its "yaffle" or laugh, spends a good deal of its time hopping around on the ground probing for ants. In cold weather, they will sometimes break into bee hives to steal bee larvae, feeding their young with 'ant porridge'.
The best places to see these fascinating creatures are ancient broad-leaved woodlands. The lesser spotted seems to prefer birch and alder and has a strong preference for wet woodland, while the green woodpecker has a strong ecological association with the oak.
As we delve into the world of woodpeckers, it's clear that these birds play a crucial role in our ecosystems, and their decline serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and restoring suitable woodland habitats. Conservation efforts focusing on these areas are critical for halting or reversing the decline of species like the lesser spotted woodpecker, ensuring that these fascinating creatures continue to thrive for generations to come.
Vicky Liddell, a nature and countryside journalist from Hampshire who also runs a herb nursery, is just one of many advocates for the protection of these remarkable birds. In 2024, in Boxley, Kent, a young great spotted woodpecker was captured on camera trying to ring a doorbell in an apparent attempt to get an empty bird feeder filled, highlighting the growing connection between humans and these awe-inspiring creatures.
The diversity and health of a woodland's habitat are often reflected in the number of woodpecker species present, making these home-and-garden-dwelling birds an essential indicator of the overall biodiversity. Maintaining a thriving lifestyle for lesser spotted woodpeckers, in particular, requires preserving their preferred wet woodland habitats, which provide them with essential food and breeding resources.
