Where have the Lesser-Spotted Woodpeckers gone? Sussex communities urged to join citizen science survey

The Lesser-Spotted Woodpecker is in serious trouble, with huge population declines nationally and in Sussex. Michael Blencowe, Senior Community Development Worker and Sussex naturalist, is urging people in Sussex to visit local woodlands over March and April to see if we can find evidence that Lesser-Spotted Woodpeckers are active in any woodlands in the Low Weald and Downs. Michael explains more:

We have three different species of woodpecker in the Lost Woods area.

The Green Woodpecker, with its distinctive plumage and laughing call, is regularly seen in parks and gardens where it hunts for ants amongst the grass.

You’ll also be familiar with the Great Spotted Woodpecker. This black-and -white woodpecker is roughly the size of a Blackbird. You’ll find them in our woodlands but they often visit garden peanut feeders and are becoming commoner. Between 1967-2022 their numbers have increased by 388%. You will hear them drumming in woodlands at this time of year. Their drumroll lasts about a second and tails off at the end. Listen here.

But we’re interested in finding the whereabouts of their smaller cousin, the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. These woodpeckers, also black and white, appear superficially similar to Great Spotted Woodpeckers but they are much smaller, more similar in size to a House Sparrow.

One of the best ways to locate Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers is to listen out for their drumming. It’s more constant than the drumming of the Great Spotted Woodpecker and lasts longer. Listen here.

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"Unlike the Great Spotted Woodpecker, the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker’s population has been in a steep decline - down 81% between 1997 and 2022)."

So, we’re asking you to listen out for them as you walk in the woods this spring. And, if you hear something that you think is a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, try to capture the drumming on your phone (either as a video or a recording on a birdsong app) and send it to lostwoodsteam@ruralsussex.org.uk.

Sussex birdwatchers Ken and Linda Smith have been studying and surveying Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers for over 30 years and have created The Woodpecker Network website to help people learn more about these wonderful birds.

I caught up with Ken and asked him a few questions about Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers.

How many breeding pairs of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers do you think we have in Sussex?

It’s tricky to say, but our surveys suggest there are at least 50 breeding pairs. They are mostly found around the Weald woods from Hampshire across to East Sussex. They are no longer found on the coastal plain or South Downs.

Why have their numbers declined?

It’s a combination of climate change and landscape.

"The loss and fragmentation of our woodlands has had a huge impact of them and they have vanished from less wooded counties in East Anglia and middle England. We have held on to them in Sussex because we are one of the most wooded counties."

Climate change and the effect it is having on their food sources has also been affecting their breeding success.

When is the best time to look and listen for Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers?

They are a very elusive bird and are most obvious when drumming in March and April. After April they go very quiet and when there are leaves on the trees you have less chance of seeing them. The best time of day is the first few hours of the morning. The chances of hearing them drumming falls off by the afternoon.

Any tips for finding Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers?

Find a quiet woodland on a calm, bright morning. They like wet woodlands of birch and alder which have a good component of dead wood. They avoid conifer woodlands.

Once you’ve found a suitable woodland, take your time. Find a quiet spot and sit and listen. If you wait long enough you may lucky!

For more information on all things woodpecker go to www.woodpecker-network.org.uk.

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