A Green Woodpecker by jove. How lucky are we?

[ladybirder]

Living in a built up area, having left the deepest countryside a while back, I am amazed to discover we have a Green Woodpecker, a male I think, in the garden of our flats. He likes it round here because my neighbour has heard him "laughing" for a few weeks now and we caught sight of him a couple of days ago. I do hope he stays a while, we do have lots of big trees round here and some nice parks for him. Anybody else in an urban area get them?

A bird on the Amber List in our garden, fancy:-) Who'da thunk it.

[atrollope]

is that what they call a Yaffle?

[rsvp]

pleased for you ladybirder - although I live in the countryside I don't take our wildlife/birds for granted - hope he/she gives you many hours of enjoyment.

[gingejbee]

We have an occasional green woodpecker visiting, too - but we are in a more rural location. And a red kite living in a tree at the bottom of my neighbours' garden.

[trish1234567]

Yes, we have one that has visited us over a period of days for the past few years. She is a female bird with red crown, but without the red touches at the side of the beak, as has the male. Never seen her pecking the trees, but she regularly goes to the part of the lawn where there was once an old apple tree (blown down a few years back with the great storms). So – I think she must be raiding ants' nests or such. We do live near some woods but I think birds are becoming 'urbanised' more and more like foxes and we do all feed them.

[ladybirder]

Yes, it's called a yaffle and it's unmistakeable. And very loud.
I'm so chuffed.

Thanks rsvp.

A RED KITE LIVING NEXT DOOR. How wonderful. Can't beat that I'm afraid.

[gingejbee]

ladybirder; why does such an imposing bird have to have such a weedy, high-pitched whistle of a call? Needs to man-up!!

[ladybirder]

But what it lacks in the vocal department it makes up for in its grace and beauty doesn't it. I love it when they hover low above you and peer down as if to see what you're doing.

[Chaffinch]

I think your sooooooooooooooooo lucky, and I'm a tiny bit jelouse xx

[ladybirder]

But Chaffinch you've got Goldfinch and I still haven't got any despite Nyger seed and Sunflower hearts.

[nungate]

Have dozens of goldfinches! Feel blessed

[ladybirder]

Oh trish didn't see you there. Ours was pecking at a couple of holes in a large tree. He kept popping in one and pecking at the other. Hope he stays. Perhaps yours would like to join him. Yes we feed the birds and the foxes round here and get so much enjoyment from watching them. Marmite sandwiches for the foxes.

[Meg]

Woodpecker is brilliant. Never had one, did have a lot of goldfinches, various tits, greenfinches and chaffinches. Nasty Sparrow Hawk took to visiting, created havoc, the ones that have survived avoid my feeders now!

[Chaffinch]

Sorry you've still not got Goldfinches, but your still a lucky lady.

Miss Meg, "nasty Sparrow Hawk", no he has to eat too.

[maggiebee]

We don't get green woodpeckers up here in Scotland (at least I don't think we do) but I have a very handsome great spotted woodpecker who visits my peanut feeder regularly. Also have a jay but usually only see a flash of turquoise before he's off.

[rowanwitch]

Love the yaffle call... makes me laugh when I hear it... and actually think there's something eerie about the call of the red kite...

[ladybirder]

My neighbour has seen it again this morning in the tree in front of his apartment, poking about in the same hole again. Unfortunately I am at the other side of the building so couldn't see it. Has anybody got any good suggestions to make sure we keep it here? It obviously likes what it sees at the moment but winter is drawing near so I'd like to make sure we continue to be an attractive proposition for him. At present we just have sunflower hearts and peanuts hanging from a feeder but we haven't actually seen him on it. Any ideas birders?

[jomifl]

Freeze dried ant's eggs?

[ladybirder]

jomifli that's fish food isn't it? I think I will get some and sprinkle them on the ground under that tree. Good idea, thanks. Ooh I wonder if I should soak them first?

[rowanwitch]

yes and get an old log drill holes in it and fill the holes with a mixture of fat and dried mealworms lay it on the ground it will have fun exploring it

[ladybirder]

Will do rowan, already got a pile of rotting logs. I think I'll make a trail to my side of the flats. Thanks.