Bad Finnish Birdwatcher

Sunday, March 18, 2007 - Mr Black Woodpecker

I could have gone on and on how odd it felt that the ground was bare when I strolled in a forest in Espoo today. But in the afternoon there came two inches of new snow, so no reason to go on and on about the ground being bare anymore.

Had a meeting with a Black Woodpecker today. It was unscheduled, but aren't those just the best kind? I heard it shouting first. I've always felt that the calls of Black Woodpecker (along with other large birds like Capercailie, Goshawk, Divers and Raven) are the sounds of wilderness. Really quiet places. Quiet meaning, no sounds of traffic. But the Black Woodpecker doesn't really need much of a wilderness. We have them nesting just a few kilometers from downtown Helsinki. And this guy was shouting practically in somebodys backyard. And yes, I was soon also practically in somebodys backyard, with my telescope and all...

Anyhow, he was calling very actively and I was sure I could see him easily, and I did. I was actually so confident that I prepared to take photos already while walking towards the sound before I had even seen the bird. They are a bit mad when they're drumming and shouting you know. And sure enough I got some pictures.

Other end of the size-scale when it comes to woodpeckers, was a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. A year-tick, but way too active to have its picture taken.

Black Woodpecker being as loud as possible