Lesser Spot Network
@lesserspotnet.bsky.social
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker conservation project supporting birdwatching volunteers to find & record Lesser Spots, their nests & breeding outcomes. Posts by Ken & Linda Smith, website www.woodpecker-network.org.uk
Something to celebrate - our 2025 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker report - successful breeding season, the most nests monitored & highest number of chicks fledged per nest since we started in 2015. Acoustic monitoring giving amazing results too, download here www.woodpecker-network.org.uk/images/L_S_W...
November 22, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Something to celebrate - our 2025 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker report - successful breeding season, the most nests monitored & highest number of chicks fledged per nest since we started in 2015. Acoustic monitoring giving amazing results too, download here www.woodpecker-network.org.uk/images/L_S_W...
This is a brilliant initiative. Woodpecker Network is working with BTO to develop a passive acoustic monitoring module for Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. Trials have proved successful in reliably detecting their drums and calls, revealing many new locations.
Birdsong is not only beautiful, it’s also full of information. This is where Acoustic Monitoring comes in. Will you support the development of this new and important work? Find out more and donate today ➡️ www.bto.org/acoustic... #bioacoustics #ornithology
November 17, 2025 at 10:18 AM
This is a brilliant initiative. Woodpecker Network is working with BTO to develop a passive acoustic monitoring module for Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. Trials have proved successful in reliably detecting their drums and calls, revealing many new locations.
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
Here is another sample page from my forthcoming book THE PIED WOODPECKERS. Due out February 2026.
October 4, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Here is another sample page from my forthcoming book THE PIED WOODPECKERS. Due out February 2026.
We hear that LesserSpotNet volunteer Toby @tobywildlife.bsky.social will be featuring on Countryfile, BBC1 this Sunday at 17:15, in an item on the ecology of Herefordshire’s habitats - it could well be interesting.
October 9, 2025 at 9:23 PM
We hear that LesserSpotNet volunteer Toby @tobywildlife.bsky.social will be featuring on Countryfile, BBC1 this Sunday at 17:15, in an item on the ecology of Herefordshire’s habitats - it could well be interesting.
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
Nice walk in the Wyre forest good to hear LSW calling the second time in a week at this location
August 27, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Nice walk in the Wyre forest good to hear LSW calling the second time in a week at this location
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
In the week the @eounion.bsky.social met @bangoruniversity.bsky.social, latest findings from @lesserspotnet.bsky.social provide hope for this hard-to-find bird.
@northwaleslive.bsky.social BirdNotes also rounds up the week's scarcer sightings. #BirdingWales
www.birdnotes.wales/blog/experts...
@northwaleslive.bsky.social BirdNotes also rounds up the week's scarcer sightings. #BirdingWales
www.birdnotes.wales/blog/experts...
Experts help unlock the secrets of our smallest woodpecker
Leading ornithologists from across the world met in Bangor last week as the University hosted the European Ornithologists Union conference. It is only the second time the UK has been the venue for...
www.birdnotes.wales
August 25, 2025 at 4:01 PM
In the week the @eounion.bsky.social met @bangoruniversity.bsky.social, latest findings from @lesserspotnet.bsky.social provide hope for this hard-to-find bird.
@northwaleslive.bsky.social BirdNotes also rounds up the week's scarcer sightings. #BirdingWales
www.birdnotes.wales/blog/experts...
@northwaleslive.bsky.social BirdNotes also rounds up the week's scarcer sightings. #BirdingWales
www.birdnotes.wales/blog/experts...
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
I've made it to #EOU2025 in Bangor, and I'm starting with the #BOUatEOU symposium on #WoodlandBirds. Lovely talk by Ken Smith, who's been studying the nesting habits of #LesserSpottedWoodpeckers in the UK over decades. #CitizenScience @lesserspotnet.bsky.social @bou.org.uk @eounion.bsky.social
August 18, 2025 at 12:12 PM
I've made it to #EOU2025 in Bangor, and I'm starting with the #BOUatEOU symposium on #WoodlandBirds. Lovely talk by Ken Smith, who's been studying the nesting habits of #LesserSpottedWoodpeckers in the UK over decades. #CitizenScience @lesserspotnet.bsky.social @bou.org.uk @eounion.bsky.social
1 Pleased to be presenting the latest results gathered by Woodpecker-Network volunteers on Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers and what we can do to conserve them better #BOUatEOU www.woodpecker-netwo...
August 18, 2025 at 11:30 AM
1 Pleased to be presenting the latest results gathered by Woodpecker-Network volunteers on Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers and what we can do to conserve them better #BOUatEOU www.woodpecker-netwo...
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
We will be representing Woodpecker Network the BOU Woodland Birds Conference on 18 August 2025 at Bangor. Ken is giving a talk ‘Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers: how citizen science is contributing to our understanding of this enigmatic species’ We are both looking forward to it bou.org.uk/wp-content/u...
bou.org.uk
August 13, 2025 at 3:43 PM
We will be representing Woodpecker Network the BOU Woodland Birds Conference on 18 August 2025 at Bangor. Ken is giving a talk ‘Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers: how citizen science is contributing to our understanding of this enigmatic species’ We are both looking forward to it bou.org.uk/wp-content/u...
Ken & Linda Smith will be at the BOU Woodland Birds Conference on 18 August 2025 at Bangor. Ken is giving a talk ‘Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers: how citizen science is contributing to our understanding of this enigmatic species’ Looking forward to seeing some of you there bou.org.uk/conferences-...
#BOUatEOU - Resources - British Ornithologists' Union
Woodland birds18 August 2025 - MALT Lecture Theatre, Bangor University, Wales, UK & BlueskyMain conference pagePresenter and attendee resourcesPROGRAMMEABSTRACT BOOKLETBOU GUIDE TO BLUESKY CONFERENCES...
bou.org.uk
August 13, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Ken & Linda Smith will be at the BOU Woodland Birds Conference on 18 August 2025 at Bangor. Ken is giving a talk ‘Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers: how citizen science is contributing to our understanding of this enigmatic species’ Looking forward to seeing some of you there bou.org.uk/conferences-...
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers like lots of woodland, but not woodland management and forestry. Interesting implications for the remaining populations in Britain: expanding unmanaged (or lightly managed) natural native woodland seems helpful. #ukbirding #ornithology
Effect of habitat quality and quantity on the occurrence and persistence of the lesser spotted woodpecker (Dryobates minor) across two time periods | doi.org/10.1016/j.bi... | Biological Conservation | #ornithology #conservation 🪶🌎
August 12, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers like lots of woodland, but not woodland management and forestry. Interesting implications for the remaining populations in Britain: expanding unmanaged (or lightly managed) natural native woodland seems helpful. #ukbirding #ornithology
An interesting study of Lesser Spots in Sweden in different types of woodlands.
Effect of habitat quality and quantity on the occurrence and persistence of the lesser spotted woodpecker (Dryobates minor) across two time periods | doi.org/10.1016/j.bi... | Biological Conservation | #ornithology #conservation 🪶🌎
August 11, 2025 at 4:02 PM
An interesting study of Lesser Spots in Sweden in different types of woodlands.
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
Just arrived the plan for next spring the lesser spotted woodpecker survey for south and mid wales passive recording @lesserspotnet.bsky.social
July 27, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Just arrived the plan for next spring the lesser spotted woodpecker survey for south and mid wales passive recording @lesserspotnet.bsky.social
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
It was a privilege to invite @lesserspotnet.bsky.social to the Blean and help with their work on nest productivity for these three healthy chicks! Altogether, my woodland survey site within the Blean for the KOS LSW Survey held no less than six territories! #kentbirding @kentishplover.bsky.social
June 24, 2025 at 5:51 PM
It was a privilege to invite @lesserspotnet.bsky.social to the Blean and help with their work on nest productivity for these three healthy chicks! Altogether, my woodland survey site within the Blean for the KOS LSW Survey held no less than six territories! #kentbirding @kentishplover.bsky.social
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
Upland oakwood on Dartmoor, one of the last refuges in Devon for the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker #30DaysWild
@lesserspotnet.bsky.social provided a comprehensive account of the decline and challenges facing this species in www.britishwildlife.com/article/arti...
@lesserspotnet.bsky.social provided a comprehensive account of the decline and challenges facing this species in www.britishwildlife.com/article/arti...
June 26, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Upland oakwood on Dartmoor, one of the last refuges in Devon for the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker #30DaysWild
@lesserspotnet.bsky.social provided a comprehensive account of the decline and challenges facing this species in www.britishwildlife.com/article/arti...
@lesserspotnet.bsky.social provided a comprehensive account of the decline and challenges facing this species in www.britishwildlife.com/article/arti...
2025 was a record breeding season for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker nests monitored by our volunteers. None failed & where we were able to check the nest contents the number of chicks fledged was the highest since we started the project in 2015. Full story www.woodpecker-network.org.uk/index.php/ne...
Woodpecker Network - Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers – the 2025 breeding season
A forum to encourage and facilitate the study of woodpeckers in Britain and Ireland
www.woodpecker-network.org.uk
June 23, 2025 at 9:33 PM
2025 was a record breeding season for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker nests monitored by our volunteers. None failed & where we were able to check the nest contents the number of chicks fledged was the highest since we started the project in 2015. Full story www.woodpecker-network.org.uk/index.php/ne...
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
After months of monitoring Lesser Spots in the Blean complex this spring, the ultimate highlight was finding an active nest late this season!!! Since then, three chicks have successfully fledged #kentbirding #ukbirding @lesserspotnet.bsky.social @kentishplover.bsky.social
June 23, 2025 at 5:45 PM
After months of monitoring Lesser Spots in the Blean complex this spring, the ultimate highlight was finding an active nest late this season!!! Since then, three chicks have successfully fledged #kentbirding #ukbirding @lesserspotnet.bsky.social @kentishplover.bsky.social
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
Ebernoe area in June: Goshawks, Hawfinches, Turtle Doves, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, lots of Nightingales, and Hares. Worth a visit. @sussexwildlife.bsky.social @sussexornitholo.bsky.social
June 22, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Ebernoe area in June: Goshawks, Hawfinches, Turtle Doves, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, lots of Nightingales, and Hares. Worth a visit. @sussexwildlife.bsky.social @sussexornitholo.bsky.social
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
Three Green Woodpecker chicks in a Quantock nest this morning
June 15, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Three Green Woodpecker chicks in a Quantock nest this morning
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
They have fledged! And so ends what's been a great season.
June 9, 2025 at 5:07 PM
They have fledged! And so ends what's been a great season.
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
This one looks like a snail.
June 8, 2025 at 6:14 PM
This one looks like a snail.
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
Mainly the male feeding chicks this morning. A morning of different eating speeds. The smaller insects they devour in seconds. The larger (unknown to me, any thoughts @lesserspotnet.bsky.social ?) morsels taking a while for them to grab. How many days to fledging?
June 8, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Mainly the male feeding chicks this morning. A morning of different eating speeds. The smaller insects they devour in seconds. The larger (unknown to me, any thoughts @lesserspotnet.bsky.social ?) morsels taking a while for them to grab. How many days to fledging?
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
One Lesser Spot nest has fully fledged. The other quite a way to go. Slight concerns over a small hole in the back of the nest. Noticed by both Male and Female this morning. @lesserspotnet.bsky.social @angusrobin.bsky.social #birds @stuckateur.bsky.social
June 4, 2025 at 2:49 PM
One Lesser Spot nest has fully fledged. The other quite a way to go. Slight concerns over a small hole in the back of the nest. Noticed by both Male and Female this morning. @lesserspotnet.bsky.social @angusrobin.bsky.social #birds @stuckateur.bsky.social
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
Just to see these birds is a privilege these days sadly,truly wonderful birds i could watch all day SW Uk
June 3, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Just to see these birds is a privilege these days sadly,truly wonderful birds i could watch all day SW Uk
As a special thank you, we are awarding unique Lesser Spotted Woodpecker pin badges to LesserSpotNet volunteers who found LSW nests this year or contributed in other ways. The Badges were designed & produced specially for us by @ukbirdingpins.bsky.social Thanks @angusrobin.bsky.social for organising
June 3, 2025 at 9:02 PM
As a special thank you, we are awarding unique Lesser Spotted Woodpecker pin badges to LesserSpotNet volunteers who found LSW nests this year or contributed in other ways. The Badges were designed & produced specially for us by @ukbirdingpins.bsky.social Thanks @angusrobin.bsky.social for organising