Wildlife

Wild Great Spotted Woodpecker Welfare

Great spotted woodpeckers are thriving in UK woodland and gardens, but face welfare pressures from nest predation and habitat loss in ancient woodland.

Key Facts

Great spotted woodpeckers excavate fresh nest holes each year in dead or dying wood
They are increasingly common garden visitors at peanut and suet feeders
Nest predation by grey squirrels occurs but populations remain healthy overall
Ancient woodland with old trees provides the highest density of woodpecker nesting opportunities
Young woodpeckers are vulnerable in their first weeks after fledging from the nest hole

Welfare Considerations

Great spotted woodpecker welfare benefits from maintaining old trees and woodland with dead wood standing. Garden feeding provides supplementary nutrition particularly in winter.

What You Can Do

Leave standing dead wood in gardens and woodlands to support woodpecker nesting
Provide peanut and suet feeders in winter to support woodpeckers in your garden
Support ancient woodland protection that maintains old trees for cavity-nesting birds