The Wildlife of
Gibside

 
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Woodpeckers, Kingfisher and Cuckoo - The Great-spotted Woodpecker

First seen on Wednesday 5th February 2020 at Gibside

With their striking colours, great-spotted woodpeckers are quite easy to identify when you see them. However, they are often at the top of the larger trees on the estate and in the summer can be well hidden in the foliage. You will hear their characteristic tapping sound from time to time and that may help locate it. As usual, the easy way of course is to look on the bird feeders. Like nuthatches, they too are partial to peanuts.


 

Male and female are very similar. The male is in these photos, with a small red patch at the back of his head. The female has an all-over black top to her head. Juveniles have a red patch at the top of their head.