Woodpeckers of Europe Blog

[Gerard Gorman]

Just like to inform you all that I have a blog devoted to Europe's woodpeckers: http://woodpeckersofeurope.blogspot.com
Please take a look, and perhaps contribute. It is intended to be a user friendly source of info for all interested in the Picidae. Gerard Gorman

[Brian S]

Gerard

Thanks for posting this - just had a quick look and enjoyed it.

What are your feelings on Iberian Green Woodpecker being split from Green? I have seen and heard them and find them pretty distinct.

White-backed is one of my most wanted birds in Europe, any good places to see it?

Brian S

[Gerard Gorman]

Gerard
What are your feelings on Iberian Green Woodpecker being split from Green? I have seen and heard them and find them pretty distinct.
White-backed is one of my most wanted birds in Europe, any good places to see it?Brian S

I believe that French ornithologidsts are working on the Eurasian Green v Iberian Green question. Personally, I do think it is a question for the taxonomists. In the field, they are quite different, but not sure that is enough for a split.

White-backed ? Actually a lot of places. The nearest ones to where I'm sitting now (Budapest) are less than 2 hours away. You are not alone, this species is often the last European woodpecker species that UK birders "need". One of my very favourite birds...

[AndyB]

Great site Gerard! Thanks for posting. Please feel free to update us here as and when you make important updates to the site. Best, Andy

[Gerard Gorman]

Great site Gerard! Thanks for posting. Please feel free to update us here as and when you make important updates to the site. Best, Andy

Glad you like it. Perhaps more importantly, I hope it is useful. I have periods where I up-date it every day, with text and photos, but when I am away birding and guiding visitors, I neglect it a bit.

[Bobolink44]

Terrific site Gerard. Thanks for letting us know about it. I've bookmarked it.

[Gerard Gorman]

Terrific site Gerard. Thanks for letting us know about it. I've bookmarked it.

I occasionally put up a QUIZ WOODPECKER, a photo, for those who like that sort of thing. Just added one now...

[Red-eyed Video]

Hi Gerard

I would guess Grey-headed Woodpecker, Picus canus male judging by the amount of black in front of the eye?

[Gerard Gorman]

Hi Gerard

I would guess Grey-headed Woodpecker, Picus canus male judging by the amount of black in front of the eye?


Yes, it is a Grey-headed (Grey-faced) Woodpecker Picus canus but on that shot it is not really possible to say for sure which sex. The forecrown cannot be seen and this is the main feature (red on male) that separates the sexes. There are some other small things... Anyway, thanks for contributing, but if you do so again please post on the blog, too, so that others can see the discussion by the photo in question. In the meantime, I have added another quiz photo...

[Gerard Gorman]

I've put a couple of photos on the blog showing my father-in-law's weekend house...

http://woodpeckersofeurope.blogspot.com

... and why he is not happy with woodpeckers at all. Gerard.

[Harry Hussey]

Hi Gerard,
I presume you are aware of what seems to be the beginnings of the colonisation of Ireland by Great Spotted Woodpeckers? Sightings have gone way up in recent years, with many relating to juveniles in late summer and early autumn (previous records, presumably due to irruptions of Scandinavian birds, mainly occurred in winter), and, as far as I am aware, a few pairs were actually proven or strongly suspected of having bred last year, with the actual nest hole found in one case.
Nice blog, sort of makes me want to see some woodpeckers now again!
Brian: saw a pair of White-backed Woodpeckers at the Bialowieza strict reserve (Poland) in May 2007. Attached are 1-2 pics of the female.
Regards,
Harry