Meet the Birds – Our Garden Guests & Woodland Stars

Every bird has a story — and this is where we get to know the regulars. Woodpecker Diaries began with a garden feeder and a curious camera. Over time, I’ve come to recognise a few familiar faces (or beaks!) that return day after day. Some are bold. Some are shy. Some are noisy drummers who think they own the peanut stash. Others are quiet juveniles, still working out their pecking order — literally.

Here’s where I track, name, and share the lives of the birds that feature in the Diaries. Some are garden regulars. Others are one-off wild encounters caught on film. Either way, they’re all part of this growing bird cast.

Redflash

Adult Male – The Confident Feeder King

• First spotted: February 2024
• Favourite snack: Fat balls and shelled peanuts
• Behaviour: Bold, often arrives first
• Notes: Seems to chase off smaller birds with a head tilt

Redflash was the first to truly ‘claim’ the feeder. With his unmistakable scarlet nape, striking black-and-white plumage, and fearless hops, he quickly made himself known. He drums loudly on the oak nearby and isn’t shy about stealing the last peanut.

Dotty

Adult Female – The Quiet Watcher

• First spotted: March 2024
• Favourite snack: Suet pellets
• Behaviour: Careful, calm, often feeds alone
• Notes: Slight speckle near the beak

Dotty is calmer and more cautious. No red on the head (a classic sign of a female), and often watches from the branches before making her move. She prefers calm moments at the feeder and avoids the chaos when the starlings are around.

Speckle

Juvenile – Still Learning the Ropes

• First spotted: May 2025
• Favourite snack: Crushed nuts
• Behaviour: Bouncy, excitable, sometimes falls off the perch
• Notes: Red crown fades as he matures

With a bright red crown and a bit of a clumsy landing style, Speckle is one of the newest additions. Still learning how to land without knocking over half the feeder, but absolutely determined to get a bite.

Pip

Juvenile – Still Learning mostly from sibling Speckle ( the hard way)!

• First spotted: May 2025
• Favourite snack: Fat balls
• Behaviour: Clumsy, Clings on and sits at bottom of feeder looking up
• Notes: Red crown fades as he matures

Pip Curious and sweet-natured, Pip is the more hesitant of the two juveniles. You’ll often spot her clinging sideways to the feeder pole, waiting for the all-clear. Pip watches everything — the adults, the garden, even the camera — before moving in. Her movements are a little clumsy, but endearing. When alone, Pip feeds in bursts and often pauses as if unsure whether they’re doing it right. They’re learning one peck at a time and growing in confidence by the day

Guest Appearances

Some birds pass through just once — like the double sighting of two woodpeckers on the same feeder in early June, or the distant drummer caught in the wild near Bodmin Moor. These will be logged here as I film and learn more.

Stay tuned — this page grows as the birds do.

At the heart of Woodpecker Diaries is one very special species — the Great Spotted Woodpecker. With their monochrome feathers, scarlet flashes, and unmistakable drumming, they’re hard to miss once you know what to listen for.

In my back garden, I’ve come to recognise a few regular visitors — bold males with their red napes, speckled females, and the occasional fluffy juvenile still figuring out the feeder. Each one has its quirks, routines, and personality. You’ll get to know them by their habits, favourite snacks, and even their flight paths.

But beyond the garden fence lies a bigger story.

I’ll also be filming wild encounters — capturing woodpeckers in their natural woodland habitats, from ancient oaks to windswept conifers. Whether they’re excavating nest holes or showing off their aerial acrobatics, every sighting adds a new page to the diary.

This section will grow over time — with names, photos, and sightings — as I begin to track individuals and share their lives with you.

Stay tuned. The birds are just getting started.