Spotty's Back

[AnnieW]

During the snow a couple of weeks ago, we had a Great Spotted Woodpecker appear in the garden on one of the suet feeders. I'd never seen one in the garden before, and assumed this was a one off because of the cold snap.

However, he appeared early this morning on the peanut feeder and stayed for about 15 minutes, pecking "woodpecker style" at the nuts. The chaffinches loved this - he was a particularly messy eater and we ended up with quite a large flock on the ground below hoovering up the waste. The great tits on the other hand were most displeased and chided him from the sidelines.

I'm hoping now he knows where the kitchen is - he might join the regulars. He was a really cheering sight in the garden. Unfortnatley it was early and the light wasn't brilliant so this was the best photo I could manage - it's a bit blury but shows his scarlet underpants nicely (what is that part under the tail feathers called ???).

[Elizabeth Bigg]

Annie - I think they are called Y-fronts, and the females wear plain knickers. It must be very puzzling for the young ones when their red caps vanish or move back. :eek!:

[AnnieW]

Elizabeth - your reply totally baffled me, until I re-read what I'd written. I had actually meant to type `underparts' - but I guess as typos go, underpants is quite appropriate !! I think I shall continue to refer to this anatomical region in this way, using your variation where there is plumage difference between sexes ;)

[crazybirdlady]

Hello AnnieW!!!
I am so happy that this little fellow found you!!! I love woodpeckers!!! I have 3 that visit me everyday!!! They are rather faithful once they start to come around!!!! Enjoy him !!!!!!!
Have a great day!!
Bobbi

[AnnieW]

Bobbi - you may well be right about faithfulness. He's been back to the peanuts twice today already, each time staying for about 15 minutes.

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce::bounce:

Even better than his presence on the feeder, when I went out with the dog earlier, I spotted him (well heard him first) drumming at the trunk of a large oak at the bottom of the garden. He seemed to be fairly determinedly excavating a largish hole. I know it's a little premature to get my hopes up, but could this be an early sign of nesting ????