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RSPB Science @rspbscience.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

New job alert 🪶🧪 We are hiring a Conservation Scientist to work on links between hydrological restoration and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker conservation Deadline: 7/10/26 Apply here: app.vacancy-filler.co.uk/salescrm/Car... #SpeciesRecoveryProgramme @naturalengland.bsky.social 📷Ben Andrew

A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker perched by its nest hole

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Mark Mallalieu @mallalieum.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

After a 20 year wait, an LSW finally appears whilst I'm raptor watching, flying <2m above a grassy field for 150m and landing briefly on a willow sapling. @sussexornitholo.bsky.social @lesserspotnet.bsky.social

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David B @djbevanphoto.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Where Wood Ants are found in abundance you should find lots and aphids and hopefully hungry LSWs!Pleased to have a short observational article in @britishbirds.bsky.social this months. Thank @lesserspotnet.bsky.social for the encouragement. @bucksbirdclub81.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social

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Lesser Spot Network @lesserspotnet.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker 'Ant-Flinger'- fascinating observations by David Bevan @djbevanphoto.bsky.social of a male LSW systematically removing & discarding wood ants whilst foraging for aphids. Article & video just published in @britishbirds.bsky.social see britishbirds.co.uk/journal/arti...

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker foraging for aphids

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Lesser Spot Network @lesserspotnet.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Very promising results for protecting Willow Tit nests and good work by @wildhorizons.bsky.social . We love all Woodpeckers, but Great Spots are the culprits here.

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Lesser Spot Network @lesserspotnet.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Watch BBC Countryfile tonight, BBC One at 7:15. Woodpecker Network and @lesserspotnet.bsky.social volunteers, Ken and Linda Smith, will be in the New Forest talking about and looking for Woodpeckers.

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Lesser Spot Network @lesserspotnet.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Delightful scene - but don't get confused these are both Great Spotted Woodpeckers, an adult female (on the left) feeding its youngster. Young Great Spots have a red cap when they leave the nest and are sometimes mis-identified as male Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. (not by anyone on here though!)

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Richard K Broughton @richardkbroughton.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

New **50m** resolution British soil map from @ukceh.bsky.social, for soil health, farming, planning, habitat mapping & habitat creation potential; 13 natural capital units. Free for non-commercial use. www.ceh.ac.uk/news-and-med...

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Lesser Spot Network @lesserspotnet.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Feeling downhearted after the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker breeding season is over? This good cheer from Somerset LSW volunteer @angusrobin.bsky.social

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Pied Sandpiper @piedsandpiper.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Two healthy chicks seen this morning - great to see both survived the Jay attack. They’re roughly 18 days old so due to fledge quite soon. The female parent seems to be visiting the nest less often now #HantsBirds #NewForest @lesserspotnet.bsky.social

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Pied Sandpiper @piedsandpiper.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

And away… I must have just missed this little one fledging this morning. She was sat in the adjacent beech for an hour calling to be fed. Soon after she was chasing her mother around further afield. One left to go! #HantsBirds #NewForest @lesserspotnet.bsky.social

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Pied Sandpiper @piedsandpiper.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

There are now two more female Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers out in the world! What a joy it’s been to share this patch of woodland with these incredible birds for the last 11 days. Thanks to @lesserspotnet.bsky.social for the guidance. The clearing feels very quiet now! #HantsBirds #NewForest

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Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Here's a slow mo of the first two flights for this young male. Not elegant but beautiful none the less. I hope to see the 3 chicks again as adult birds over the coming years. @lesserspotnet.bsky.social

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Pied Sandpiper @piedsandpiper.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Looking for the exits. The LSW chicks are very restless now - sticking their heads out the hole and yelling at their parents. Fecal sacs are no longer being removed. A chance they could fledge today at ≈22 days old. Both appear to be female #HantsBirds #NewForest @lesserspotnet.bsky.social

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angusrobin.bsky.social @angusrobin.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

This Wood Warbler was singing in a new spot on the Quantocks for me this year. Nearby a female Lesser Spot was quietly feeding. Only one new GSW nest found today (calling young giving them away) @somersetbirds.bsky.social @btosomerset.bsky.social

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Pied Sandpiper @piedsandpiper.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

I fell asleep last night with ringing in my ears. It took a moment to realise it was the sound of LSW chicks. Jaygate is over for now - still at least one chick calling today. We’ll find out how many tomorrow morning #HantsBirds #NewForest @lesserspotnet.bsky.social

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angusrobin.bsky.social @angusrobin.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Here’s an example of LSW young calling from a nest (there were three young not far off fledging in this nest) @ukrbbp.bsky.social @lesserspotnet.bsky.social

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Pied Sandpiper @piedsandpiper.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

The good news is the chick(s) started calling louder again. The bad news is the Jay made another visit. Let’s hope the hole is small enough and the cavity deep enough to win out 🤞

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Pied Sandpiper @piedsandpiper.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

The chicks are getting larger and louder now. That was until a Jay stuck its head in the nest cavity tonight. I don’t think it took a chick, at least one still calling, albeit much quieter now. Perhaps it’s the remaining younger chick or just spooked #HantsBirds #NewForest @lesserspotnet.bsky.social

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Lesser Spot Network @lesserspotnet.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Interesting thread with thoughts on habitat and food requirements for Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers by @rufusdawson.bsky.social

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Pied Sandpiper @piedsandpiper.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

In 2.5 years I had only ever seen a female LSW, even when I found a nest late on Friday as only the female seemed to be visiting. So I was thrilled to see this male turn up on Saturday morning strutting his stuff! #HantsBirds #NewForest @lesserspotnet.bsky.social

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Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

The lesser spots have finally fledged! Want to see it don't watch this video! Watching through my bins and didn't notice my camera had frozen in the heat. Watch the pre-behaviour and you can hear the bird fly away calling at 31 secs. Then her siblings realise at 37 secs @lesserspotnet.bsky.social

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British Birds @britishbirds.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Following interest in our Dec 2025 paper on Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and acoustic monitoring, we invited readers' questions to the experts britishbirds.co.uk/news/ask-exp... Thanks to Linda Smith and @LesserSpotNet.bsky.social 📸David Tipling

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Paul Cox @paulc090316.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

@lesserspotnet.bsky.social one of two new nests found in The Blean this weekend. Three chicks in the nest but no sign of the adult female

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Lesser Spot Network @lesserspotnet.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Thanks to @piedsandpiper.bsky.social the nest was checked yesterday, 2 good looking chicks snug in the nest cavity, both adults feeding.

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Lesser Spot Network @lesserspotnet.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

A Lesser Spot nest found on Friday and now being monitored by @piedsandpiper.bsky.social has 2 good looking chicks see photo in thread. One of 4 new nests found in the New Forest this weekend

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Pied Sandpiper @piedsandpiper.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

All the early February mornings trying to understand a LSW territory paid off today when I finally went looking for nests. Amazingly, this was the last tree on my list! #HantsBirds #NewForest @lesserspotnet.bsky.social

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Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Lesser Spots still not fledged. Typical behaviour this morning. Chicks calling from the hole, Female brings a quick feed then tries to call them out. They didn't want to come out. Has to be tmrw but I've been saying that since Thursday! @lesserspotnet.bsky.social

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Dr David W. Smith @drdavebirding.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

It's coming to the end of lesser spot season, and chicks are fledging. Listen out for calling chicks if you're in the woods. Video by Paul Cox (thanks Paul for permission to use).

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Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

I cant believe the lesser spot chicks haven't fledged yet. The female kept calling at them to come out this morning. At one point for over 6 minutes straight. The adults are tired and want the chicks to forage for themselves. They are doing there best to avoid the lunges! @lesserspotnet.bsky.social

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Lesser Spot Network @lesserspotnet.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

This is the sound to listen out for - if you are searching for a Lesser Spot nest to monitor - well done @angusrobin.bsky.social

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Lesser Spot Network @lesserspotnet.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Fabulous Lesser Spotted Woodpecker nest found and monitored by Woodpecker Network volunteer @angusrobin.bsky.social

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angusrobin.bsky.social @angusrobin.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

6 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker nests have been monitored in Devon and Somerset this year. One failed at the hatching stage, others will be fledging in the next few days, 1-2 weeks early. Young can now be heard calling in nests @lesserspotnet.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social @ukrbbp.bsky.social

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Stuart keenor @stuckateur.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Thanks Ed for letting me enjoy them too ! Loads of data to go through Wonderful parent birds too a joy

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Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Female was briefly spooked tonight by a strange noise which meant she stayed a while. Not many days to go until fledging. Could be tmrw @lesserspotnet.bsky.social If this is the last I see of them this year, good luck its been a beautiful spring. #Birds

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Tom Williams @pterodaktyl.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

Monitoring a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker nest this morning for @lesserspotnet.bsky.social @edhorncastle.bsky.social using a remote camera to get detailed footage of food sources with minimal disturbance. Adults averaging a feed every 3.6 minutes, with a mix of invertebrates, predominantly aphids.

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Stuart keenor @stuckateur.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Some shots of lesser spotted woodpecker monitoring the invertebrates in SW big thanks to @edhorncastle.bsky.social @lesserspotnet.bsky.social

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Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Windy nest hole monitored for 95 mins 21 visits (4.5 mins per visit). 11 from F 10 from M. At least 15 times aphids were brought in. Interesting behaviour when female was reluctant to go in whilst watching a roe deer pass by. Also a bit of beak cleaning from the male. @lesserspotnet.bsky.social

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Paul Cox @paulc090316.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

@lesserspotnet.bsky.social parents busy this morning - at least 18 feed visits in a 50min period

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Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Lesser spots doing well. Lots of aphids to feed young. Female has been staying close to the nest for long periods. Could be because she has been keeping brood warm or she was worried about the local great spot who was nearby @lesserspotnet.bsky.social #Birds

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Paul Cox @paulc090316.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

@lesserspotnet.bsky.social active nest in The Blean. Too high for camera inspection equipment, but both adults (mostly the male) seem bringing food and removing faecal sacs. Distant record shot attached

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Lesser Spot Network @lesserspotnet.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

May LSW nesting update. Go out now to look for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker nests. Adults actively feeding their young become more detectable. To find a nest this year, get out into the woods now, it will all be over in 4 weeks. Latest update on nests www.woodpecker-network.org.uk/index.php/news

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Connor Murphy

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Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Whilst monitoring a lesser spot nest yesterday the male would often feed with 5 metres of me. Lovely to watch. @lesserspotnet.bsky.social #Birds

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Lesser Spot Network @lesserspotnet.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Our LesserSpotNet volunteers have data on 4 LSW nests so far, all with 5 or 6 eggs, a good number. 3 have hatched which is very early, they will fledge around 21 May (average 30 May). So look out for adults bringing food to the nest & let regional co-ordinators know www.woodpecker-network.org.uk

woodpecker-network.org.uk

Woodpecker Network - Home

A forum to encourage and facilitate the study of woodpeckers in Britain and Ireland

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Ken and Linda Smith @kenandlindasmith.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Pleased to monitor our first 2026 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker nest on 2 May, found by a LesserSpotNet volunteer in the Home Counties. Nest camera showed 3 chicks just hatched + 3 eggs waiting, both adults feeding. Good to get data on clutch size. Another very early nest & the highest at 16 metres

A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker nest in a cavity in a tree, 3 chicks + 3 eggs waiting to hatch

Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers at their nest hole

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Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Lesser spots male keep young warm overnight. He was still doing so until 10 today. Kept popping out to feed. Female arrived to much relief about 10. A privilege to monitor these nests for @lesserspotnet.bsky.social #Birds The birds then were swapping over every 12 minutes on average.

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Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Lesser spot eggs all hatched now. How many blind naked young can you count. I think 5 but Im not sure #Birds @lesserspotnet.bsky.social @bbcspringwatch.bsky.social

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angusrobin.bsky.social @angusrobin.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Lesser Spotted Wdpkr nests monitored across Southern England are generally early this year, with several already hatching. Some nests will fledge from mid-May, with young birds audible preceding week. @lesserspotnet.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @ukrbbp.bsky.social

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angusrobin.bsky.social @angusrobin.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Foggy Exmoor morning today with an unpaired LSW still drumming. Wood Warbler singing with Firecrest, Redstarts, Pied Fly and Garden Warbler @somersetbirds.bsky.social @ukrbbp.bsky.social

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