Woodpecker at Aspenwood

While up at the cottage on Saturday morning one of the juvenile great spotted woodpeckers suddenly flew by the large lounge window and landed on the fence by the nut feeder. Unfortunately the window was not open yet so had to take this photo through the glass therefore it is not as sharp as it could be.These birds are extremely sensitive to any sound and the noise of one camera click is enough to frighten them away so you have to be very still and quiet and very quick...not an easy task.

Woody makes a meal of it...

The male Great Spotted Woodpecker has been really providing for his family who are no doubt holed up in a nearby tree. He has his meal first then fills up his beak to bursting point to take food back to the youngsters. He really uses his tail well on the suet ball for support and balance and flits about from the peanuts to the suet balls and then onto any oddments left on the ground. We hope that he will one day bring the entire family to the restaurant at Lower Birchwood. Look out for the surprised male pheasant and the baby siskin in the video.

Wildlife seen yesterday...

There is an amazing variety of wildlife in the local vicinity and yesterday we made a mental note of all we saw just in one day.
Of course the birds are constant callers to all the various feeders in the open garden area but the young plump siskins do not know of any dangers so sit quite innocently on the ground. The red squirrels are now regular visitors under the bird feeders where we leave them a special stash of peanuts and sunflower hearts placed near the bushes. The great spotted woodpecker arrived on the bird table and flew off with the remains of our breakfast croissant which was quite unusual as he normally would be attached to a nut feeder or suet ball so he must have been sent to find any food for the nest. We heard the cuckoo across the loch and saw a few early swallows skimming over the water for the first time this year. On the journey to Daviot we spotted a red kite overhead with its trademark forked tail and saw a buzzard sitting on a fence post beside the road watching intently for the next possible tasty morsel. In the evening we saw something we have never seen before - a weasel carrying its young in its mouth similar to a cat carrying a kitten. We saw it fleetingly dash across the path and disappear into the thick undergrowth of the blueberry bushes which buzz with the sound of bees during the daytime.
Most of these smaller creatures are quite vulnerable especially when they are young as the predatory sparrowhawk is also always on the prowl - but life goes on so to speak.

Woodpecker rescue...

We were enjoying a nice relaxed breakfast looking at all the birds gently feeding when the great spotted woodpecker descended on the suet ball hanging from the tree near the window. He is always a joy to watch as he is rather large and colourful and not seen very often due to his fleeting visit. Suddenly the predatory sparrowhawk swooped from behind and surprised him and us. The woodpecker crashed into the window and the sparrowhawk flew off to seek another target.Luckily the woodpecker bounced off the glass and landed in the pile of soft snow head first. Quickly donning wellies and a coat I found the stunned bird and attempted to lift him out of the snowdrift. He ungratefully showed his thanks by squawking at me so loudly that I thought gloves would offer me more protection from his sharp long beak. I quickly carried him across to the safety of the bird table and even put the suet ball in reach in case he was hungry.Several birds attempted to land on the table but were quite amazed to find it occupied by a rather unusual species. He was really stunned and we were quite worried although we did see his head move now and again. He sat for a good hour before a big fat blackbird landed and caused him to come to his senses. We were very pleased to see him actually move up the strut of the bird table even though he did attempt to peck at the wooden structure. After a few minutes he flew across to the trees nearby and we breathed a sigh of relief...Woody Woodpecker lives to fight another day.

Great spotted woodpecker.

While we were talking to our new guests yesterday evening in the cottage and looking out of the window at the view the great spotted woodpecker suddenly alighted on the nut feeder outside the lounge window. Our guests were thrilled as they had not seen one at such close quarters before. We have often seen him on our feeders and it is good to know that he really puts himself about the area.