Ken Smith
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker nest recording As most birdwatchers know, the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is in serious decline in much of its British range. The reasons for the decline are not known for sure but work by the RSPB has suggested low breeding success as a possible factor (see Smith et al., British Birds, 294-307 (2013) for a review). It would be great to be able to compare the results of the RSPB work with those from the BTO Nest Record Scheme to see whether low breeding success is a general problem. Sadly, over the last few years, the numbers of nest records for this species have fallen so low that this is not possible. I have been studying Great and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers for more than 30 years, mainly in my own time, but also as a small part of my work with the RSPB where I lead research into Bitterns, breeding waders and woodland birds. Now after 30 years I am retired, but I have maintained my interest and, if anything, expanded the studies.
The arrangements are quite straightforward. If you find a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker nest, I will visit or organise a visit with a nest inspection video camera to check the contents. Four video systems are available and, depending on demand, after the first visit we can leave one with the nest finder to monitor the nest contents regularly until the young fledge. I have developed the nest viewing cameras over the last 15 years, initially to check out Great Spotted Woodpecker nests, but as the technology has improved I have been able to monitor Lesser Spots too. The nest inspection is done from the ground with the camera on a long telescopic pole which can reach up to 60 feet above the ground and only takes a few minutes. It should be noted that in visiting well over 1,000 Great Spot and 60 Lesser Spot nests, I have found no adverse impact on the birds.
Photo: Tim Preston
A few years ago I realised that the opportunity was being missed to collect important breeding data from nests found as part of normal birdwatching – either because the observers were unaware of the potential value of their observations, or because the means to inspect the nest contents was not easily available. So, in 2015, together with Paul Bellamy at the RSPB, I launched an initiative to help and encourage observers to find breeding Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, and where possible to find the nests and facilitate the recording of their contents and outcomes under licence. In 2015 and 2016 this has resulted in 10 nests being recorded each year, a big increase on the one or two reported in previous years. In 2017 I am hoping we can do even better – with your help.
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