Saturday 14 June 2014

Great spotted woodpeckers

This week has seen the arrival of the GSW chicks at the feeders.  At first they sit high in the trees while the parents collect the food but as they become more confident they move closer.  Within a few days they will be able to get onto the feeders themselves and then the parents will leave them to it.  Most of the feeding I have seen is done by the male(s).  Maybe the females choose "healthier" food than peanuts for the chicks.



Photographing the feeding isn't always easy.  Often the chick is on the wrong tree or branch just out of view.  Sometimes there are two chicks in different trees with no way of knowing which will be fed next.  The parent needs to be a contortionist as the chick doesn't move much.



I expect the parents will be pleased when this is all over.

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