A Baby Boom in the Forest

A Hungry Chick Poking its Head Out

As I strolled in the forest with no particular aim, I came to a clearing where I heard constant calls of baby birds. Although slightly faint, the sound was persistent and constant that I could almost locate where it was coming from. Nearby was a dead tree with multiple occupants such as jackdaws and kestrels - that seems to be the origin of the noise. But the chicks’ calls didn’t synchronise with the arrivals or departures of either of these birds. After a while, a great spotted woodpecker arrived cautiously, relaying from post to post to deter the attention of potential predators rather than flying straight and landing directly in front of the nest’s entrance.

Mum cautiously checks if the coast is clear using a nearby post before flying back to the nest.

As correctly observed and mentioned in various books on bird behaviours, great spotted woodpeckers share the parenting responsibilities equally. While I watched them, both male and female constantly flew back with food for the chicks.

‘Dad’s home with food!’

A clear privilege of being allowed a glimpse into one bird family is that, after a constant observation, you start to notice certain idiosyncrasies. For example, the mum, when back at the nest with food, sticks her head right into the nest hole, making it difficult for me to get a good shot. The dad, on the other hand, kept his head out of the hole, almost prompting the chick to extend its neck to grab the food off his beak, which made my life a lot easier. Besides, the dad’s food comprising mainly mayflies seemed very popular as the chicks were more ravenous.

‘Give me food NOW!’

I’ve already said great spotted woodpeckers share the domestic responsibilities equally. Feeding the chicks is one thing but keeping the house in order? They are very meticulous about that. After feeding, they also pop inside the nest, perhaps, once every three deliveries, to pick up the mess inside and fly off.

‘A clean house, healthy chicks!’

People are attracted to baby birds and like such photographs. Think of cygnets and ducklings and the people who stick their camera phones at them in the park. I don’t deny the general ‘chick’ appeal, and particularly with regards to great spotted woodpeckers, the red crest on the head, a special prerogative of the chicks, almost makes them look like a different type of woodpecker altogether.

But beyond the cuteness, what impressed me the most, is the energy levels of the parents. According to the time stamps on my photos, they came and fed the chicks every eight minutes or so. That only includes the time I fired off shots. As far as I’m aware, they start early in the morning and work their way into early evening.

I do not know how many chicks are inside the nest. But considering the amount of calories they consume in finding food and flying, between the numerous food deliveries, they must find enough to eat to sustain themselves. Living in a bird version of block of flats means they have to keep an eye on their nosey neighbours and give them a chase if they aren’t told. That takes a toll, too, particularly on their appearances as you can see in the last photo of the female in which her plumage looks quite tatty clearly because she hasn’t relaxed enough to take time to preen herself well.

That also ties in nicely with the other birds I had a privilege of observing recently. The kingfisher family and the blue tit family back at the flat. All their fledglings seem to have left the respective nest successfully, and although I am happy to have been allowed into their world for a short while, I started to suffer what other people might call empty nest syndrome! I miss the action, I miss the drama.

But finding and observing the great spotted woodpecker pair and their unbelievable feat of catching food midair and feeding chicks almost non-stop daily has helped me realise and appreciate this - raising a family is taxing. They certainly don’t do it for fun. So physically demanding, that’s why they have a breeding season as they are not designed to do it throughout the year.

Although never intentionally meaning to be an adrenaline junkie, I now appreciate the life these little birds shared with me and wish them all the rest they clearly deserve to feel fresh and replenished.

A Peaceful Moment in the Woods