sorry so slow to reply - I can't say i know teh name of the wood, but its the one to the west of brooks drive that cuts into the golf course. Over the years I have seen LSW at the corner of Brooks Drive and Hale Road, coming out of the afore mentioned wood, on the golf course itself - a pair together in a tree about 4 foot off the ground (along the 9th firway) - and several times in the tress along Shay Lane, where it bends North towards Davenport Green - u can actually scan the woods from there two. Green woodpeckers are also to eb seen in the fields to the North around this spot. Seems to be a fair amount of woodland bird movement at present - I had 5 siskins, a nuthatch, two goldcrest and a couple of redwings in my garden in Hale (near the cemetary) over the weekend - and a pheasant!
Having now looked at my A to Z, is it Humphrey's Wood where the Lessers were seen as this appears to be the only wooded area which borders the golf course??
Flaxhigh Covert used to be good many years ago so worth another go, although the last time I was in the area, there was a gate blocking entry to the wood as it is on the cricket ground.
The main wood on the lane is Davenportgreen Wood which looks as though it could contain Lessers but as for access, I am not sure. I remember knocking on the door of the house next to it once and getting permission but as for now, who knows??
This area is certainly worth covering and quite often throws up a suprise or two.
Nuthatches quite often tap. If it was a woodpecker Sid i'd have thought it would be more of a drumming noise. Good to see Treecreepers there today, i've only seen a couple all year! Thanks. Henerz.
I too did not see the LSW however there was a distinct tapping rather than drumming sound high up in one of the tall trees looked for ages and finished up with a stiff neck. Do Lesser Spots "tap" at this time of year perhaps looking for insects?
I did get the usual suspects as well as 3 Treecreeper, a lone Redwing, Nuthatches (several) 2 Goldcrest, a Jay having a row with itself, a nice male Kestral over the golf course and a Brass Monkey looking for a bloke with some brazing gear!!!
No LSW again, chances will probably be better in late feb to march when it would start calling and drumming if it's around. Few other good birds around though.
1 Tawny Owl (flushed out of alder wood at east end of Shay Lane) 1 Treecreeper 2 Goldcrests 4 Coal Tits 3 Long-tailed Tits 4 Nuthatches 1 Grey Wagtail 2 Pied Wagtails 9 Siskins (in alder wood at east end of Shay Lane) 2 Goldfinches
No sign of LSW this morning, after a couple of hours producing a sore neck from looking upwards too long! Other birds in the area though included:- 2 Siskins 2 Goldfinches 1 Bullfinch 3 Goldcrests 4 Nuthatches 2 Coal Tits 12 Long-tailed Tits 2 Pied Wagtails 1 Mistle Thrush 1 Song Trush 1 Pheasant 13 Starlings 1 Black-headed Gull (flew over) c30 Woodpigeons 2 GSW's
