Guest 1395- Registered: 5 Nov 2014
- Posts: 463
#1
Having seen only the usual garden birds, plus gulls and pigeons, in the 9 years I have lived at Whitfield, I was pleasantly surprised today to see a green woodpecker sitting on my fence. Are they common around here and just don't normally visit housing areas?
Lew Finnis
Weird Granny Slater
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 7 Jun 2017
- Posts: 3,095
#2
I couldn't say whether they are common, but they are pretty secretive. I have seen them regularly in wooded areas, such as near Foxhill Down on the cliffs, sometimes feeding on the ground, but more often flying to cover with a yaffle. I've also heard them in the grounds of Dover College nearby. I think you're very lucky to have seen one on your fence.
'Pass the cow dung, my dropsy's killing me' - Heraclitus
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#3
I know there have been the odd sighting in the area north of Maison Dieu Road off Taswell Street not anywhere else as far as I know.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#4
I love the sight and sound of woodpeckers, we used to see one quite often when we lived in Tilmanstone.
As a side issue, anyone noticed the birds stocking up on food the last few days, either that or they prefer my fat balls to my neighbours.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Captain Haddock
- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 8,397
#5
Jan Higgins wrote:either that or they prefer my fat balls to my neighbours.
Sounds like the punch-line on a Donald McGill postcard!
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"The world is still a weird place, despite my efforts to make clear and perfect sense of it".
Dr. Hunter S Thompson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#6
Jan Higgins wrote:I love the sight and sound of woodpeckers, we used to see one quite often when we lived in Tilmanstone.
As a side issue, anyone noticed the birds stocking up on food the last few days, either that or they prefer my fat balls to my neighbours.
Not noticed any difference lately, all four of my feeders seem to be going down at the usual rate.
Reginald Barrington
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,261
#7
Captain Haddock wrote:Sounds like the punch-line on a Donald McGill postcard!
Not McGill but you get the idea.
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Arte et Marte
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#8
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 1395- Registered: 5 Nov 2014
- Posts: 463
#9
It's amazing how these things stray off course!
Thanks for the serious responses. It sat on the fence for quite a while before flying down into a neighbour's garden. You have reminded me that I need to get my feeders out of the garage.
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Lew Finnis
John Buckley
- Registered: 6 Oct 2013
- Posts: 615
#10
I've had one digging for ants in my lawn regularly for the past four years or so, also at Whitfield, so could be the same one?
Guest 1395- Registered: 5 Nov 2014
- Posts: 463
#11
Depends where in Whitfield. I am at Archers Place, near Tesco. All I get digging on my lawn are magpies!
Lew Finnis
John Buckley- Registered: 6 Oct 2013
- Posts: 615
#12
Not far from you Lew, just the other side of the roundabout, no distance at all I guess in bird flying terms. But it stays on the lawn for quite some time, perhaps I have good quality ants!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#13
According to the RSPB and National Trust feeders should be out all year round now Lew. I find no difference in visitations whatever the season with a slight variance when I put out warm water during a freeze.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#14
I also leave mine out all year, with a very slight variation depending on the time of year, for example a few more mealworms when there are young to feed.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 1395- Registered: 5 Nov 2014
- Posts: 463
#15
I can't leave them out all year as the grandchildren would knock the pole over when they're here in summer!
Lew Finnis
Alec Sheldon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 18 Aug 2008
- Posts: 1,037
#16
We have had them occasionally pecking away at an old dead apple tree also in Whitfield just down from Post Office.
Guest 1395- Registered: 5 Nov 2014
- Posts: 463
#17
So I put out the feeders and after 3 days, nothing has been touched. We don't seem to have any small birds around here. I haven't even seen the robin for some months.
Lew Finnis
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#18
I had a daily visit from a Robin up until a year ago but it used the feeders. I have an upturned water butt in which I put stuff on top for the bigger birds that can't use the feeders and the Robin filled its guts there.
Captain Haddock- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 8,397
#19
howard mcsweeney1 wrote:I have an upturned butt in which I put stuff on top for the bigger birds that can't use the feeders and the Robin filled its guts there.
Whereas Billy's mate?
"The world is still a weird place, despite my efforts to make clear and perfect sense of it".
Dr. Hunter S Thompson
Guest 1395- Registered: 5 Nov 2014
- Posts: 463
#20
Anything I put out that's not in the feeders gets hoovered up by the pigeons - even the blackbirds can't get a look-in once the Whitfield Air Force descends!
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Lew Finnis
