Peterborough Bird Club annual report Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major | A | Common resident 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Common resident. Most records of more than 1-2 birds together related to groups of displaying birds or family groups. Again, Bedford Purlieus NNR recorded the largest single count, with six seen there on 27 Feb (BHS). Breeding occurred at a number of sites with juveniles seen seven locations. Image © Phil Ackerman. Click for a larger version.
2002	Common resident. Reported from 55 locations during 2002 and, as with Green Woodpecker, most records involved 1-2 birds. Groups of 3-4 birds seen at Bainton, Eldernell, Holme Fen NNR and Woodwalton Fen NNR. The largest group during 2002 was of 5-6 birds seen in the Upper Forty Acres section of Bedford Purlieus NNR on 5 Mar (BHS).
2001	Common resident breeder. Reported from 35 sites, almost always as single individuals but occasionally two or more. At Grimeshaw Wood, two males and a female were chasing each other 15 Mar (MW) and a family party was seen at Marholm 25 Jun (PJP). Four pairs bred at Milton Golf Course (WEW) and a pair were seen taking food to a nest at Ferry Meadows CP 2 Jun (RD). Several observers reported birds on garden feeders. Like Green Woodpecker, this species has been better recorded despite the restrictions due to Foot & Mouth disease.
2000	Widespread resident. Somewhat under-recorded at 24 sites, with reports of 1-3 birds throughout the year. No records of confirmed breeding were received.
1999	Widespread resident. Several garden records came from Helpston and Longthorpe. Drumming was heard at Jones's Covert 23 Apr. A bird prospecting a nest site at Stilton 13 Jun and an adult with a juvenile at Baston & Langtoft GP 29 Jul (TW) were the only records indicating breeding. Three birds at Marholm 27 Mar (BC) included a ringed individual. The species will need to be better recorded before a true picture of its present status in the area can be confirmed.
1998	Common resident. Birds were widely reported, with sightings from Folksworth, Holme, Milton Golf Course, Southey Wood, Peterborough Central Park, Bainton GP, Thorney Toll, Helpston, Eastgate, Market Deeping, Eye Green, Stibbington, Dogsthorpe Star Pit NR, Maxey GP, Baston & Langtoft GP, Stanground, Thorpe Wood and Bluebell Wood. Nene Washes: Recorded on seven dates at Eldernell.
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