Woodpecker overload at Cranford Park

It was bitterly cold at Cranford Park this morning and the frost was so thick, it almost looked like a coating of snow.......

 

The clear blue sky meant for challenging photography. The light was a little too harsh.

But plenty of birds posed for me today including this fluffed up Robin below.....

 

 

Lots of birds were looking for food in the icy weather.

The Blue Tit below had found some titbit at the end of a twig.....

 

This Great Tit was rooting through some old dead leaves......

 

A small flock of Long-tailed Tits stopped right in front of me, and for once posed obligingly.......

 

with several even stopping to have a groom.....

 

By the Information Centre a pair of Mistle Thrushes were eating the mistletoe berries.....

 

 

 

 

Up by the old Buzzard nest I found three new clumps of Candlesnuff fungi.......

 

 

But todays star of the day were the Great Spotted Woodpeckers.

All around the Bluebell Dell the air was alive with calling woodpeckers. I could see several flying around chasing each other from tree to tree.

At one point there were six individual birds flitting around the same three or four trees. Trying to get photos was challenging at first, but the more they chased each other the less they were bothered by my presence. A couple of times two birds would tumble to the ground, then fly off again before I could get a picture. It wasn't until I go home and uploaded my photos that I realised every single woodpecker I had captured were females, though I know I observed at least two males through my binoculars.

 

 

The one below seemed to be the winner. She posed just 8' off the ground and allowed me to get quite close whilst she investigated a section of lifted bark.....

 

 

I don't think this is mating behaviour, it is a little early for that, but I do believe I witnessed some sort of territorial behavioural dispute. The lady above stuck around whilst the others flew off in different directions.

 

And I also managed to add a new photo to my 'Bird's Bums' album...........

 

 

So a very worthwhile freezing cold morning at the park.