Assumed Woodpecker Damage But Could It Be Squirrel?

Looks more like the work of a grey squirrel, since they like to use nest boxes to spend the winter plus give birth, not forgetting taking eggs and chicks of course.



Alan

I agree with Accipiter about it being caused by a squirrel. Years ago when visiting relatives in Canada we came across trees felled by beavers, and those gouge marks beneath the holes are quite similar. Almost as though made by a blunt carving chisel!

I'm now pretty sure it was a woodpecker (Green Woodpecker), at least the bat box one. Because outside today I heard a knocking sound coming from the direction of the bat box, crept round to see what it was and there was a Green Woodpecker at a new hole in the same bat box (but on the lower board to the inner slot (Kent Bat box). It saw me virtually immediately and flew off (and Green Woodpeckers are fairly distinctive when flying away from you (unless I've overlooked other similar species)).

The hole is already similar size to the higher hole but with freshly exposed timber round the hole. So could have been squirrel creating the hole and woodpecker sought to enlarge it but ... (the lower board would be very difficult for a squirrel to get to as the outer slot forms an overhang, etc.)

At the top of the pole there are 3 identical Kent bat boxes 120° apart (so bats can select their "temperature" in relation to the Sun). And both the other two have similar holes (fresh) but right up near the "roof", some a "double hole".

Interestingly, when I look at the bat box photo above, there appears to be a small indentation when there is now a hole so maybe the creation of the hole has been a slow intermittent process.

I'll take a photo in the next few days (if we see an end to rain). But I'm open to other opinions.

I'm not too concerned about the bats because, whilst "I never check the roost", there is still the inner slot which is still secure (even with a hole near the bottom). I guess this winter I'll have to replace them. Maybe covering the outer surface with a sheet of stainless? or any other material - or is this a bit of a waste of time as there are actually sides and back that whilst not as easy, could still be vulnerable. I'd certainly appreciate any ideas.

Also, this year is the first year I've seen a Green Woodpecker around (we seemed to have a vast number of ant nests in one part of the field this year and normally seen at those).

Ian