Found a Woodpecker Nest, what to do?

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ACW

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Was in the garden earlier and have found a hole in the middle of one of the trees in our orchard, the amount of woodchippings beneath the hole is ridiculous, and the hole is about 1m above the floor, which i thought is unusually low, but a great photo opportunity. I'll post images of it tomorrow.

We regularly get GSW and green woodpeckers, so I thought I'd keep an eye on it while having lunch. Sure enough a green woodpecker was flying in and out and around the garden.

Now it was happily flying in and out with me about 40m away sitting on the decking, however, I'd love to get close and get some better shots of it. Obviously I don't want to spook it as its nesting though. Any suggestions?

Tripod and wireless remote? Or how close could I get without spooking it, as it's at ground level they may feel more vulnerable?

The tree is on the edge of the orchard is facing the house, there are about 30/40m of lawn inbetween it and the decking that I could put a lounger on and lie waiting. You can walk unobstructed right up to the hole.

Any help appreciated :)

I ask as I don't know a lot about birds during nesting time and don't want to cause the parents to abandon their eggs (can hear they haven't hatched)
 
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Well Adam that is a bonus. Setting up a temp hide with some cammo netting would be a good idea, as you think there are no young yet then you probably have time on your hands and it will let the parents get used to it. As for how far away you will need to be I would suggest set it up between 6-10 mtrs away this will obviously depend on what lens you have as well. All birds will react differently, I have Great tit`s nesting in a box on the patio and they will happily go in and out with me being sat a few feet away. Others might suggest different to me based on experience.
 
My latest hide is 51 meters away from the nest site.............;)
 
u8myufo said:
Well Adam that is a bonus. Setting up a temp hide with some cammo netting would be a good idea, as you think there are no young yet then you probably have time on your hands and it will let the parents get used to it. As for how far away you will need to be I would suggest set it up between 6-10 mtrs away this will obviously depend on what lens you have as well. All birds will react differently, I have Great tit`s nesting in a box on the patio and they will happily go in and out with me being sat a few feet away. Others might suggest different to me based on experience.
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Thanks for the detailed info, I'll give it a try. Off to ebay for some netting!

Does anyone know how often they will come out of their nests when feeding? I'm guessing it will be a lot more frequent than they are now?
 
ACW said:
Thanks for the detailed info, I'll give it a try. Off to ebay for some netting!

Does anyone know how often they will come out of their nests when feeding? I'm guessing it will be a lot more frequent than they are now?
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Make yourself comfy and get a single seat hide.Position it so that the birds get used to it, then gradually move it to where you want, try and get the light coming from behind you shining onto the tree.
 
Thinking outside the box a little. :thinking:

If you have one floating around you could try a washing line spinner with some old towels and clothes hanging off it to break up your outline.
 
Surrey Sam said:
Thinking outside the box a little. :thinking:

If you have one floating around you could try a washing line spinner with some old towels and clothes hanging off it to break up your outline.
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....but there's nothing like lurking under some camo netting :D
 
I just came on here to look for some advise on exactly the same thing, didn't expect to see the perfect thread already running!


I was out for a walk this evening and found a woodpecker nest. It's in reasonably thick woodland far enough off any tracks to not be disturbed. Downside to this is I can't get any further away than about 5m with the camera. So I am thinking tripod and remote trigger, should be able to get a better height then too.

The nest by the sound of it has two or three chicks in it, and have only seen one of the parents anywhere nearby.
 
Why use a netting?

Get a Army uniform.
Not only will you see the birds but you will also be a perch for them (bearing in mind you don't move too much). Also get a small bird table and place it in good range with a fair bit of food. Sorted
 
Surrey Sam said:
Thinking outside the box a little. :thinking:

If you have one floating around you could try a washing line spinner with some old towels and clothes hanging off it to break up your outline.
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Thanks, I guess it's just about stopping me being a recognisable shape? Still all quiet in the hole, I was hoping they would be coming out while the bluebells were still there giving some nice foreground interest.

Comfortably Numb said:
....but there's nothing like lurking under some camo netting :D
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As much as I'd love to lurk on the front lawn under some netting, the GFs made it clear I'll have as much time to do it as I like as I'll be single! :razz:

bass_junkie83 said:
I just came on here to look for some advise on exactly the same thing, didn't expect to see the perfect thread already running!


I was out for a walk this evening and found a woodpecker nest. It's in reasonably thick woodland far enough off any tracks to not be disturbed. Downside to this is I can't get any further away than about 5m with the camera. So I am thinking tripod and remote trigger, should be able to get a better height then too.

The nest by the sound of it has two or three chicks in it, and have only seen one of the parents anywhere nearby.
Click to expand...

I did think about remotes, but I think it would be to limiting?

anthony23 said:
Why use a netting?

Get a Army uniform.
Not only will you see the birds but you will also be a perch for them (bearing in mind you don't move too much). Also get a small bird table and place it in good range with a fair bit of food. Sorted
Click to expand...

Thanks, useful comment, shame you won't be around any more to give other useful contributions to this thread. :) Would have taken it in good humour if you wasn't an idiot all over the forum.
 
Also just to mention (in case anyone takes the troll seriously) that army camoflage (DPM) is designed to decieve the human eye - it doesnt work that well with birds and animals - you'd need something like advantix or mossy oak , and they are so expensive you'd be better off with a blind, hide or net

back to the OP the best way to bring GSW (and LSW /nuthatch/treecreeper if you've got them) into range is to make yourself a pecker log - you get a decent sized bit of trunk, drill holes in it and fill them with suet, crushed peanuts etc (some places will tell you to use peanut butter - but i don't like the idea of feeding wild birds salt, additives, and e numbers), then position it within easy shot of a window (or of your car)

Then hang a bit of scrim netting across the window and you are sorted

(this doesn't work so well for green wood pecker as they tend to feed on the ground - but they can be tempted in with a spinkling of meal worms on the grass )
 
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