Can anyone tell me if the Middle Spotted Woodpecker's range has changed recently, and if it would be possible that the bird I was watching in my sycamore tree last week, was in actual fact this bird? I have cross referenced several books; which all state that it does not visit the UK, however I now beg to differ, as I am convinced that this is the species I was watching. Please could anybody offer me any info on this matter! (note the lack of black markings on the head and the tuft of red only)
Many thanks
Just in case anyone wants a close up of a Juvenile Great spot you can compare this with the Middle spot!
Regards Buzzard
Hi,
take a look at this- note the red cap, small moustache and washed out undertail :)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jVQvAvoNc64/TDTFwBAqNTI/AAAAAAAADYw/kD-pftMdGSc/s1600/IMG_0083a.jpg
S
Woodpeckers don't migrate across oceans. For an example the Black Woodpecker is widespread across western Europe as far as near the coast of France. Yet not one Black Woodpecker has ever been recorded as seen in the UK. The same applies to the Middle Spotted Woodpecker. Sadly with Britain and Ireland been islands away from mainland Europe there are a number of birds that are unlikely to start breeding/nesting in the UK even with climate change. That sadly is a big disadvantage to the UK been a small Island off the coast of mainland Europe. No doubt if the UK was attached to mainland Europe birds such as the Black Woodpecker and the Middle Spotted Woodpecker would have been a common species many decades ago in the UK.