Great Spotted Woodpecker

The woodpeckers most commonly seen in Bicknor Wood are the Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dendrocops major. During early spring a short drumming might attract your attention or the swooping, undulating flight might catch your eye. 

There is a pair that have bred in the wood in previous years and it looks as if this year's pair may also be looking for a nesting site. The large dead tree gives them plenty of opportunity to pick and pry amongst the rotting wood and peeling bark for insects and grubs. It also makes a good sounding board. A GSW's territory might be around 10 acres, so our pair might rove beyond the wood on occasion.

If you are of a delicate sensibility, there is no need to continue with this post. 

If you like pictures of woodpecker sex (pornithology), you are in the right place.

During April, the female GSW was heard and seen drumming on the burnt tree. This was an invitation to the male who diligently flew  to meet her. 

There was very little preamble before copulation. Both sexes of birds have a cloaca and the transfer of sperm takes place through cloacal contact.

Sex is then celebrated with the traditional lap of honour. 

Hopefully this will result in a fertilised egg and the couple need to finalise their choice of nest in which to start this year's clutch. The female will lay 4,5, or 6 glossy white eggs and both parents will share the incubating duties.