LesserSpotNet volunteer organisers, Ken and Linda Smith, were delighted to visit the Wyre Forest National Nature Reserve in Worcestershire on 2 May. We were guests of Natural England who employed an expert contractor, Craig, to survey Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers this spring. The forest, mainly Oak woodland, is a stronghold for Lesser Spots and much other wildlife and is estimated to hold at least 15 pairs. Craig had found four Lesser Spot nest sites so far this year.

The first nest had a female LSW incubating seven eggs, this is an above average clutch size, which is good. Note: in the photo some of the eggs are hidden under the bird.

At the second in a dead Birch, six young had just hatched and were being fed by both adults. In the photo you can see the six tiny chicks and the egg shells. This nest was early, the first egg would have been laid on 17th April. This bodes well as early nests tend to be more successful than later ones, as there is more food available for the chicks.
The third nest had been predated, the nest hole had been chewed open by a Grey Squirrel and the nest contents taken. At the fourth site the birds had started to excavate three cavities by none were fully formed and had all been abandoned.
It was exciting to find Lesser Spots doing so well at this early stage in the nesting season. NE staff are confident that more nests will be found and they will be monitoring developments.