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Post by rowanberry on May 20, 2015 10:42:00 GMT
The greater spotted woodpecker who is a regular garden visitor seems to have become very voracious lately... he is on the feeders almost every 15 minutes or so, it seems like. He alternates between the peanuts, and the suet log that we made just for him. There is a female GSW who makes a rare appearance, but she's more skittish than he is and I've not been able to get a photo of her yet.
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Post by kentyeti on May 20, 2015 19:22:31 GMT
The greater spotted woodpecker who is a regular garden visitor seems to have become very voracious lately... he is on the feeders almost every 15 minutes or so, it seems like. He alternates between the peanuts, and the suet log that we made just for him. There is a female GSW who makes a rare appearance, but she's more skittish than he is and I've not been able to get a photo of her yet. Nice photos. I think the female may be on a nest with young explaining his frequent visits to your feeders? "My" male is doing that from time to time at present, and in the previous three years that has been followed by the young turning up and learning how to get the peanuts!
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Post by NellyDee on May 25, 2015 10:36:19 GMT
I did not know that GSWs could be so noisy - almost competing with the jays! It is the female, who is also hammering furiously at the top of our electricity pole (next to the house)she has made quite a large hole already. I have not seen the male for a while now, which is a bit worrying. I have also learnt that they are every bit as clever as the jays.
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Post by shirl100 on May 25, 2015 18:10:36 GMT
Our male GSW has gone quiet too, it's the female who is going for the suet feasts on and off all day so I am hoping eggs may have hatched. Last year the male brought a juvenile to the feeders to show it how it's done so maybe males take over at some point?
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Post by rowanberry on May 25, 2015 18:58:52 GMT
It would be wonderful if they were to bring the young ones to the feeder. Today the male tolerated a sparrow sharing the feeder with him- he doesn't always allow another bird on it while he's there!
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Post by tigertom on May 25, 2015 20:23:06 GMT
The greater spotted woodpecker who is a regular garden visitor seems to have become very voracious lately... he is on the feeders almost every 15 minutes or so, it seems like. He alternates between the peanuts, and the suet log that we made just for him. There is a female GSW who makes a rare appearance, but she's more skittish than he is and I've not been able to get a photo of her yet. Rowanberry you do have a photo of the female the one in this post is a female note there is no red on the back of the neck the other pic is a male MIKE
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Post by rowanberry on May 25, 2015 20:57:32 GMT
Mike, I think you're right- when I edited the original, I thought there was a bit of red on the back of its head- but looking at it again I think that's just because of the light shining on the tree in the background. Or that's my excuse, anyway (feeling extremely silly.) I can see a very faint bit of red nape in the photo of him on the suet log- I'm pleased that they both are still coming to feed! (and pleased I got that one right, at least.
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Post by NellyDee on May 26, 2015 12:11:53 GMT
My greedy lady GSW and the hole she is busy hammering out on the electricity pole. She/They have been responsible for two electricity poles being replaced last year. She is obviously determined that Electricity poles are her preferred location, despite the fact that there are lots of old trees to chose from.
Woodpecker on fat feeder by Wabi Gallery, on Flickr Woodpecker hole in E Pole by Wabi Gallery, on Flickr
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Post by dogghound on May 26, 2015 13:50:44 GMT
As Tigertom points out the left hand photo is that of a female GSW. Both adults typically take equal turns in feeding the young in this species, even relatively soon after the young have hatched. Presumably linked to thermoregulatory properties of nesting in a deep tree hole. Towards the end however one of the adults tends to reduce its contribution to feeding the young, often being the female. Despite this they often stay within a family group for several days (or longer) after fledging.
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