How to Attract Great Spotted Woodpeckers to Your Garden

Great spotted woodpeckers are striking birds, known for their distinctive black, white, and red plumage, and their rhythmic drumming sounds. They are fascinating to watch, and their presence can bring a unique charm to any UK garden. While attracting these birds may take some planning, with the right food, environment, and nesting opportunities, you can turn your garden into a woodpecker-friendly haven. In this guide, we'll explore how to create the perfect space to entice great spotted woodpeckers, ensuring they become regular visitors to your garden.

Understanding Great Spotted Woodpeckers

Before diving into the specifics of attracting great spotted woodpeckers, it's helpful to understand a bit about their habits and preferences. These birds are common in the UK, found throughout woodlands, parks, and even gardens with mature trees nearby. They feed primarily on insects, particularly wood-boring larvae, but they also enjoy seeds, nuts, and suet, making it possible to attract them with the right food.

Woodpeckers are solitary and territorial birds, so you're likely to see just one or a pair at a time. Males and females are similar in appearance, with males having a distinctive red patch on the back of their heads. Juveniles can be spotted by their all-red crowns, which change as they mature.

Providing the Right Food

One of the most effective ways to attract great spotted woodpeckers is by offering the food they love. Here's what they enjoy:

• Peanuts: Great spotted woodpeckers are particularly fond of peanuts, which are high in fat and energy. A sturdy mesh peanut feeder is ideal for them, as it allows them to cling while feeding, similar to how they forage in the wild. Make sure to offer unsalted, unroasted peanuts to ensure their safety.
• Suet Treats: These birds are naturally insectivorous, but they also enjoy suet, especially in winter when insects are harder to find. Suet treats with added seeds or insects can be highly attractive to woodpeckers.
• Sunflower Hearts: While they primarily seek insects, sunflower hearts provide a great source of energy. These can be offered in a sturdy feeder or sprinkled on a flat surface where woodpeckers can easily access them.
• Mealworms: Both live and dried mealworms mimic the woodpeckers' natural diet of insects and can be offered in a tray or dish feeder.

Choosing the Right Feeder

Great spotted woodpeckers are agile climbers and typically cling to trees while feeding, so choosing feeders that allow for this natural behaviour is key. Here are some feeder types to consider:

• Peanut Feeders: A wire mesh peanut feeder will allow the woodpeckers to cling comfortably while feeding. Make sure it's sturdy and well-secured, as these birds are strong and may knock over lightweight feeders.
• Suet Feeders: Choose a suet feeder that allows for easy clinging. Some designs come with tail props, which provide extra support for woodpeckers as they perch and feed.
• Platform Feeders: While woodpeckers are primarily clinging birds, they can also feed from flat surfaces. A platform feeder can hold mealworms or sunflower seeds and provide an additional feeding option.

Creating a Woodpecker-Friendly Habitat

In addition to providing the right food, you can make your garden more appealing to great spotted woodpeckers by creating a suitable habitat.

• Leave Deadwood: Woodpeckers are naturally drawn to dead trees and branches, where they can find insects to feed on and potential nesting sites. If possible, leave some deadwood in your garden or place logs in shaded areas where they can forage for insects.
• Plant Native Trees: Mature, native trees like oak, beech, and birch are perfect for woodpeckers to forage and nest in. If space allows, consider planting or preserving these trees in your garden.
• Provide Nesting Sites: Great spotted woodpeckers are cavity nesters, meaning they excavate holes in dead trees to create their nests. You can encourage them to nest in your garden by putting up a specially designed woodpecker nest box. Ensure the box has a 45mm entrance hole and is placed high up in a tree to mimic natural nesting conditions.

Offer Fresh Water

Like all birds, great spotted woodpeckers need access to fresh water for drinking and bathing. A birdbath or shallow dish of water can be a great addition to your garden. Ensure the water is kept clean and fresh, and consider adding a stone or perch in the middle to give the birds a safe place to drink.

Be Patient and Observant

Attracting great spotted woodpeckers to your garden may take time, especially if you're just starting to create a woodpecker-friendly environment. Be consistent with feeding and maintaining the habitat you've created. Keep your feeders clean and well-stocked, and ensure there is always fresh water available. Once woodpeckers discover your garden, they are likely to return regularly, particularly during the colder months when natural food sources are scarce.

By providing the right food, feeders, and habitat, you can transform your garden into a welcoming space for great spotted woodpeckers. Their distinctive drumming, striking colours, and fascinating behaviour will add a new dimension to your garden's wildlife. With a bit of patience and the right approach, you can enjoy the presence of these incredible birds throughout the year.