The photographs show how a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker’s nest hole in Kent was taken over by a Great Spot.
Martin Garwood tells the story of the hole
‘In mid-March I found a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker excavating a nest hole in a dead Alder close to a pond and stream. I watched it over the next three weeks and by 10 April the bird was getting inside to excavate so it looked almost done.'
LSW excavating its nest hole
LSW hole about 30mm diameter
'The following day I popped over to see what was happening just in time to find Great Spot there widening the hole.’
Great Spot at the hole
GSW enlarging the hole
Hole enlarged to ~50mm diameter
‘It was always a bit of an obvious spot on a very exposed part of the tree and I suppose it is better that the Great Spot raided now rather than later when the chicks are there for the taking.’
‘The good news is that on 17 April the male Lesser Spot was watched excavating another hole in the same area.'
’My hunch is that like many other birds they may excavate a number of holes and then the female chooses what suits her needs best.’
This is a set back for the Lesser Spots, they have used up time and energy making the first excavation and have had to start again. Earlier nests are usually more productive. But there is still time for them.
Lesser Spots normally lay their first egg towards the end of April. However last year, 2018, in one very late nest monitored the first egg was laid about 15th May and the young fledged on 21 June.
Please let us know if you find a nest so it can be monitored to gain more understanding of Lesser Spots and their needs.
Many thanks to Martin Garwood for superb observations and photographs.
