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Available for over a year

Up until 10 years ago we had no Great Spotted Woodpecker in the north and south of Ireland. But along the east coast there is now evidence of breeding pairs drumming their way through forests. A striking black and white colour, both male and female woodpecker create this noise by striking their beaks repeatedly against a rotten or hollow branch, which acts as a sounding board. And to avoid the blinding headache this activity might cause if we were to try the same, they have a sponge of shock absorbent tissue between their bill and their skull to neutrilise the impact. They don't sing like most birds, so a quick 'drum roll' is their way to tell rival birds that this territory is taken. So, if you go down to the woods today and hear their distinctive noise, you know you are witnessing the return of a very welcome visitor to our shores.