Listen out for the drumming display of the woodpecker and the loud ‘kick kick’ call announcing its presence and bouncing flight. 

A member of the Woodpecker family, they are a striking patterned black and white, the male has a red head.

Woodpeckers eat insects, seeds and nuts.  When attacking food with tough shells it will wedge it in a crevice in a tree trunk or branch and hammer it open with its powerful bill.  During courtship pairs engage in noisy chases among the trees.

They like mature woods with broadleaved trees and the ancient Woodlands of Dum and Dogloitch and mature trees provide a perfect home.

Young birds may travel a few kilometres from their nest sites but generally the species is resident. 

No woods and trees – no woodpeckers!

Protected by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Woodpeckers are here!

Let’s keep a home for the Woodpecker here!

Click here to find out more about the woodpecker on the RSPB website.

Fact sources: RSPB Giving Nature a Home, rspb.org.uk & RSPB Handbook of British Birds