Can you spot the woodpecker in this woodland?

Neither can we….the lesser spotted woodpecker is a lovely bird, once common in devon’s woods, but you would be hard pushed to see one anywhere now…

Likely Culprits: Loss of woodland habitat and vital corridors in between them. Starvation due to loss of food source (the male feeds the chicks in their last week before fledgling, the female taking off for a no doubt well earned rest before potentially seeking another mate, and tragically there’s no longer enough food for him to do this single handed), caused by the huge loss of insect numbers. The cumulative effects of pesticides and climate change being major factors in this.

Possible solutions:  Allow massive regeneration of trees, support and encourage land stewards to leave trees in between woods. Not only is it great habitat and a feast for wildlife, farmed animals also love the shelter of trees, and if we don’t do this, the lesser never spotted is heading the way of the dodo…