24 February 2009

Dave Stone managed to capture these shots of a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Steps Bridge on 15 February.

The next six weeks are perhaps the best time of year for trying to find this elusive species, as attention is often drawn by the male's strident, high-pitched "advertising" call, while the still-bare treetops give would-be observers at least a fighting chance of actually clapping eyes on the bird as well!

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker – Steps Bridge – © Dave Stone – 15 February 2009