GSWs: In the shade of the Oak

Hemel (BMT): I have tried and failed to muster up an opening with a pinch of pizazz. Instead, I shall jump straight in with the reality that the last 9 days have been largely a sedate affair (or perhaps more accurately, a stationary affair, as I’ve barely moved). Selecting highs and lows from the week seems like an easy way to carry my thoughts, so let’s go with that. The obvious low which has dominated, is the fact that my energy levels remain near rock bottom (it's attributed to ME/CFS, a condition - for those not in the know - where particular biological processes essentially fail to work properly. Recent findings suggest that the underlying pathology is significant impairments in cellular function but the cause and treatment are speculative and the duration of debilitation can be anything from months to a lifetime). Anyway, for the moment, even contemplating the (hilly) ~600 metre walk to the Small Blue butterflies has felt beyond me, although I may just give it a go tomorrow.

The definite high of the week was being able to return to the nesting Great Spotted Woodpeckers. A bit of sneaky parking reduced the walking distance to around 150 metres. The nest site was such that I was able to set up my gear (including handy camping seat) out of sight of the Woodpeckers and watch/film them without causing any intrusion or disturbance. I couldn’t manage more than about an hour but even in that time the parents were bringing food to the intensely demanding young almost every 10-15 minutes.

Pa (left), Ma (right)

The nestlings never shut up (evidenced in the video!)….which is how I found their home in the first place. Squeak, squeak, squawk, squawk, rising above the sound of nearby traffic. I wish I was as adept at finding interesting caterpillars as ma and pa woodpecker, and I did note that the female was ringed although couldn't read the code, unfortunately. The light was extremely awkward (harshly backlit) but, quite honestly, I would have been happy with any record of this wholly absorbing scene. I was transported into their world of vitality and bonding and the striving for life. I loved how the young were cradled safely within the limb of a mature, ostensibly healthy Oak: the tree providing complete shade, protection and rooted solidity; the woodland around them their larder.

[The video is best viewed in 4K: press play then click on the cog, bottom right, and select 2160p^4K quality. In the last scene, it's the female that exits from the nest hole, taking out the rubbish]

The little things

Here with a mini update, about mini flying things, due to minimal energy for being out and about this week, unfortunately. The day before my ill-considered, strength-sapping yomp over Albury Nowers, I’d checked the A41 Small Blue colony. Conditions weren’t ideal but I’d counted at least 12 Small Blues, including a mating pair. Also risking life and wing by the dual carriageway was a fresh Burnet Companion moth.

On Sunday, still unaware of quite how drained I was, I visited Bovingdon Brickworks briefly. The teeny weeny Adela fibulella day-flying moth had just emerged and was enjoying a rare glimpse of sunshine, fluttering on/around its foodplant, Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys). In the same scrubby meadow, nestled down amongst the grasses and nettles, near one of the many stands of Bugle (Ajuga reptans), I found a brilliant Small Copper. I only ever see a handful of this species throughout the season so I make the most of each one.

Adela (cauchas) fibulella. The smallest of the British Adelinae moths at approx 5mm long. Scarce in Herts

Small Copper. The little fibulella moth is probably as long as its antenna!

Finally, today, after what has basically been 4 days of complete rest, I went out for a very gentle stroll. It was cold and drizzling but worth it for chancing upon a pair of dishevelled Great Spotted Woodpeckers, weary in their quest to satisfy a nest-hole full of squawking babies. If I have the energy and opportunity, I’ll head back to them soon and see if I can get some video/photos, obviously without causing any intrusion/disturbance.

Looking for Lesser 'Peckers

Shall I try it?

What do you think? Does it suit me?

Blue Tit, Lower Roughdown, testing the local housing market

Hemel (BMT): My morning began with my neck craned, eyes heavenwards, ears pricked, searching the trees at Lower Roughdown for Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. According to the BTO fact sheet, this precious species has undergone a decline of 73% over the last 25 years. I’m no expert but that’s definitely bad news. I was surprised to discover that it’s not even a Schedule 1 species, which means that there’s no law protecting the birds against disturbance at nest sites.

The first and last Lesser Spot I saw was a breeding pair in central Hertfordshire in 2012. Even then, I knew it was something special to be able to watch this House-Sparrow-szed (i.e. dinky with a capital D) Woodpecker excavate its nest hole; incubate the eggs, and then raise its young. Little creamy-topped nestlings popping heads out to be fed or being pushed back inside so that a parent could enter to collect the fecal sacks. I missed the pre-courtship drumming so that’s a sound I’ve yet to experience in real life, although I’ve listened to it online.

Sunshine and strong winds today meant that conditions were not ideal. However, during 75 minutes carefully listening, waiting and watching in the small woodland, I heard 2 short, loud bursts of drumming and found 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers. A pair, which had obviously already bonded and were feeding together, and a vocal female. She was calling frequently but she also took time to preen extensively whilst clinging to a vertical tree trunk - very impressive it was too. I didn’t have any luck finding a Lesser Spot but that doesn’t mean one isn’t there to be found...

A Chiffchaff sang every now and again, as if it hadn’t quite got into the swing of things. I heard Bullfinches and Treecreepers and the soft whistling of Redwings. Great Tits, Dunnocks and Wrens were loud and proud. The woodland had definitely edged into Spring.

Elsewhere, the smart, male Wheatear was still in the crop field, on the north side of Hemel. Although, I’d be watching him one minute and the next he’d be impossible to find. The area is extremely exposed and the bird was very unsettled, perhaps not enjoying being buffeted on all sides.

Back to the Drummers, and some sounds and notes for reference….and, crossing my fingers that I hear the latter in local woodland this Spring.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Drum-rolls normally delivered in under a second, comprises 8-12 beats and fades away at the end. Individual strikes very fast and difficult to separate.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Drums slower, weaker and longer-lasting affair than that of the Great Spotted Woodpecker. Drumming does not peter out at the end.

Great V Lesser

The difference in size of the two Woodpeckers is obvious 

(GSW can be almost twice the size of LSW [GSW L23-26 cm; LSW L14-16.5 cm])

A final word. Not wanting to underestimate the "common". A beautiful pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers in Warwickshire, that I photographed just over a year ago. Startling red, black and white and I couldn't take my eyes off them...

A call from the Herts Bird Club to keep your eyes peeled for 'peckers. More data on the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is desperately needed in order to halt its decline. Please see THIS ARTICLE on the Herts Bird Club.