of Herefordshire Some species of are on the Help Herefordshire RSPB Red and Amber Woodpeckers of Herefordshire Survey Sheet* conservation priority Save The lists, which means their populations are in big Name ...... trouble in the UK. Address ...... Woodpeckers Woodpeckers love old orchards and woodland Telephone ...... Email ...... margins, but increased orchard management and Location Tree species/ Observed behaviour Nest woodland clearance have Date Species (Grid reference if known, (Flying, drumming, postcode and description) habitat feeding, etc.) located? fragmented and reduced these habitats. Tom’s orchard (NE Perry pear Yes-in dead tree in cider Feeding on decaying fruit Lesser spotted Behaviour - They have As the historical home 19.01.10 Green corner) Bromyard Downs cavity orchard next to wedged between branches 2m above inconspicuous habits, spending of cider making and the SO666554 stream ground level woodpecker Dendrocopus minor most of their time in the very location of the world’s largest cider makers, Status: lRed tops of trees, feeding as they creep along branches or flutter Herefordshire has the from branch to branch. They are highest number and especially attracted to mature density of orchards in the UK as well as a high oaks and elms scattered about proportion of woodlands. country parks but also visit What we do here can orchards and alder carrs. make a big difference to Call - The call is often a pee- woodpecker numbers on a *Please note: by sending in this information you agree that it may be used in accordance with HBRC’s policies. Contact details pee-pee-pee weak call and national scale. will be used in accordance with the HBRC privacy statement (copies available upon request). sometimes a weaker ‘tchik’. By encouraging q Please tick here if you would not like to be contacted Drums often in the spring but landowners to maintain Please return your Woodpecker woodpecker-friendly further. survey sheet by the end of 2010. We longer lasting and not as loud habitats in their orchards welcome observations taken outside as the other woodpeckers Please send your completed survey sheet to: and woodlands and of the breeding season. More copies with 10-30 blows over a few Woodpeckers of Herefordshire making sure there are c/o Herefordshire Biodiversity Partnership, Herefordshire of this leaflet are available from the seconds. Woodpeckers of Herefordshire project ©John Robinson plenty of nesting boxes, Council, PO Box 4, Plough Lane, Hereford, HR4 0XH Female lesser spotted at the above address. we aim to stabilise For more information on this project, how to get involved woodpecker with juvenile and then increase the or how to identify woodpeckers, please visit these Also, please note that nesting woodpecker populations in websites: www.herefordshire.gov.uk/herefordbap woodpeckers are protected by law Length 15 cm – The size of Herefordshire. under the Wildlife and Countryside www.rspb.org.uk a sparrow. Scarce and elusive Act 1981 (as amended) so please But first, we need your www.bto.org localised resident. take care not to cause any damage or help to find out where If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact disturbance at the nests. Features - The main plumage the woodpeckers are living. Please record Nicky Davies on 01432 383026 © Copyright Hereford Biodiversity Partnership 2010 is black and white, with any woodpeckers or email: [email protected] conspicuous barring on wings you see - to help you, and back. In adults, the male we’ve provided this has a crimson crown while the identification guide and ©John Robinson female’s cap is dull white. Male lesser spotted woodpecker survey sheet. ©www.davidfeatherbe.co.uk

Identification Guide Great spotted woodpecker Dendrocopus major Status: lGreen Length 23 cm – The size of a starling. The commonest of these three species, with widespread distribution in all habitats. Features - Striking black and white back, wings and tail are black, except for the large white shoulder patches and smaller white spots on the wings. The sexes are similar except that the male has a red patch on the nape and the female does not. Behaviour - It has a very distinctive bouncing flight and spends most of its time clinging to tree trunks and branches. Call - The call is a sharp ‘tchick’ with various trills and titters. Drumming is frequent in Male green woodpecker

spring with 8-10 blows lasting for a few ©www.simonstirrup.co.uk ©John Robinson seconds. Female green woodpecker Identification Guide ©John Robinson

Male great Green woodpecker spotted Picus viridis woodpecker Status: lAmber Male great Length 32 cm – Bigger than a blackbird, but spotted smaller than a jackdaw. The largest of the three woodpecker species of woodpecker found in Britain. A fairly ©John Robinson with juvenile (right) common but localised breeding . ©www.simonstirrup.co.uk Features - The have a green back and wings, yellowish rump and whitish underparts. The crown Juvenile green and nape are red. The male’s black moustache has woodpecker a red centre while the female’s is all black. Behaviour – They are not totally arboreal (tree dwelling) and will be seen feeding on the ground. Call - They are also easily recognised by their laughing ‘yaffle’ call which is unlike the other woodpeckers. They do drum, but their drumming Female great spotted is neither as resonant nor harsh as the other two woodpecker species, nor as frequent - they rely on their laugh to demarcate their territory.