All of the Marbury patch people have a soft-spot for our lesser spots. They're ace little birds and tough to see anywhere, so it's a pleasure to still have them just about clinging-on - especially as we thought they'd all gone a couple of years back.
The national decline continues and so there is a great deal of research going on to find-out the reasons. A national 'citizen science' study programme is being run by former (now retired) RSPB worker Ken Smith. The website is worth a look -
http://www.woodpecker-network.org.uk/index.php/news/24-mid-may-news-nests-eggs-and-chicks
With help from Marbury ranger Chris, along with Rob and Zac from work and Malc Curtin, we (I)managed to get up to the nest without too much bother and carefully guide the camera into the nest.
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| The nest 10-12m up in a willow |
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| On the up with the nest camera on a pole - not for the feint hearted! |
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| 6 eggs! Seems late to be still incubating. |
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| Male safely returning after the nest check, but spent longer than usual looking around - he obviously knew something had happened! Apparently males do most of the work at the nest and it's not uncommon for males to raise chicks without assistance from the female. |
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| And safely back in he goes! |
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