Great-spotted Woodpecker - 2003-07

The number of tetrads in which Great Spotted Woodpeckers were found increased significantly between 1984-88 and 2003-07, from 172 to 254 - almost 48%. With the exception of a small decline in the number of tetrads registering possible breeding, the number of tetrads where confirmed and probable breeding was recorded increased by around 67% and 122% respectively. According to BBS information the population index for this species has risen by 196% between 1994 and 2007 in Wales overall.

Donovan and Rees (1994) remarked that although much harder winters of the early 1960s apparently had no effect, the cold snap in winter 1979 was thought to have reduced the population substantially, based partly on observations at Hylton Woods. Since about 1990, there has been a remarkable run of generally mild winters so Great Spotted Woodpeckers may have prospered as a result.

By the end of the 1984-88 survey period, Donovan and Rees estimated that there was an average density of three or four pairs per occupied tetrad, providing a Pembrokeshire population of about 500 – 700 pairs. But they concluded that the population was undoubtedly greater prior to 1979. This woodpecker species is certainly one that currently seems to have prospered recently, and over the last 20 years seems to have recovered quite well.  Using the 1980s population estimate, based on the number found in tetrads, there may now be at least 760 to 1,000 pairs breeding in Pembrokeshire. 

Bob Haycock

 

Fieldwork 2003-07 (based on 490 tetrads)

Red = breeding confirmed = 75

Orange = breeding probable = 109

Yellow = breeding possible = 70

Total tetrads in which registered = 254 (51.8%)