14 April 2009

Seven days after Ian Seward took his photo of a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Steps Bridge, Charlie Flemming managed to capture these images of a male and female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Dunsford Woods on 13 March – at the fifth or sixth time of trying!

Charlie writes on his blog (http://parrotletsuk.typepad.com): “I am pleased to report that today I was successful at last!. It was quite an exciting experience and I saw firstly the male but only managed a shot from behind but I did get a good clear sighting of his head in another blurred image. I have to say that yet again I am really impressed with this lovely little species that is really quite something special and well worth the searching.

After hearing him call from behind me I turned to see him fly across the river and perch in the tree opposite. I could see him really well and his red head showed clearly. In the photo you can just about make it out. The last time I saw this species was in Hampshire in 1972 so you could say that today was a bit special.”

Thanks for sending your photos in to devonbirds.org, Charlie.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, male – Dunsford Wood – © Charlie Flemming – 13 March 2009

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, female – Dunsford Wood – © Charlie Flemming – 13 March 2009