great spotted woodpecker

The Great Spotted Woodpecker is one of two woodpecker species that we have here at Wellington, the other being the Green Woodpecker. The Great Spotted Woodpecker can be seen and heard drumming in the trees as it looks for food in dead branches, and in springtime it uses the drumming to call a mate and establish territory. This woodpecker nests in holes in trees that it hollows out. It feeds on grubs, bugs and insects, and will take young birds from nests if it gets a chance. It is a fairly common visitor to garden bird feeders on site as well.

Great Spotted Woodpecker on a garden feeder -12.04.20. - Mark Dodd

Suggested Posts

Jackdaw

A mid-sized member of the Corvid family, the Jackdaws are gregarious birds often seen around Turf and South Front. Although initially looking all black, they have a grey head. They feed on almost anything from seeds and berries to carrion and waste food from the bins.

Read More »

Treecreeper

This resident bird is small and brown with a white belly. Its curved bill is perfect for getting insects out of the crevices of trees.

Read More »

Wren

The Wren, one of Britain’s smallest birds, is a resident here at Wellington College.

Read More »

Greylag Goose

A very distinctive bird with its pinkish-orange bill and pink legs, the Greylag Goose is a new visitor to Swan Lake, making its first appearance in the spring of 2021.

Read More »