IN Britain we have three species of woodpecker, namely the green, great spotted and lesser spotted. The green woodpecker is the largest, while the lesser spotted is only sparrow-sized.

All three species have a deeply undulating switchback flight pattern as they zoom from tree to tree. Although the first two species are relatively common, the lesser spotted is in decline but very elusive and probably under-recorded because of its small size. One of its favourite haunts is in the pheasantry plantation in Bushy park.

Nature Notes: Feeding the water birds

The green woodpecker utters a loud laughing call known as a 'yaffle' and, unlike the other two species, rarely drums on tree trunks but spends most of its time hopping on the ground especially in the tussocky grassland found in Richmond and Bushy parks. There, it searches for anthills which it probes with its extremely long, sticky tongue.

The great spotted is the bird we hear from very early spring drumming rapidly on hollow dead branches proclaiming his territory and advertising for potential mates. His call is a sharp 'pick-pick' uttered at short intervals. Although its food consists mainly of insects, it may also target eggs and chicks from other nests.

Nature Notes: A noisy time of year

The lesser spotted woodpecker's plumage in similarly patterned and it also indulges in drumming but the sound is much softer. All three species nest in tree holes.