A favourite from 2018, modest when compared to the monstrous 2019 in terms of birdwatching, despite a golden oriole and white-tailed eagles...
I found the woodpecker when I stalled in disbelief in the middle of a forest for completely failing to photograph a pygmy owl, despite having it in clear view, and then flushing a willow grouse from cover, which scared me with its thunderous take-off. then I noticed some soft thumping...
I initially thought it a GSW until I took in its colouration properly...
Paying no attention to me, the three-toed woodpecker female was a blur as it zipped around the trunk, pecking everywhere to get at the sap. The focus failed me, but this is better than nothing.
the forest produces a lovely woodpecker annually for me. 2017- Black woodpecker, 2018- Three-toed woodpecker, 2019- Black woodpecker. What's next for 2020? Would love to see how she is doing, this woodpecker... maybe I'll pay her a visit.
Just thinking about it... a yaer and four days from then, I would have my best sighting yet, a hen harrier on the Russian field :)
