Having, on Saturday, received evidence via
SMS of the continued existence of the mythical Three-toed Woodpecker I summoned
my energies for one last attempt to see this bird. Destination was
Sørkedalen where I had also searched for this species less than 2 weeks ago.
Parking at Skansebakken car park I headed off into the forest armed with bins,
camera and loudspeaker for the iphone – I was determined to be successful no
matter what!
The forest definitely looks good with many
large spruces and much dead wood but haven’t I thought the same many times
before? A flock of 6 Long-tailed Tits was as always a nice sight but otherwise
the forest was quiet. A few Bullfinches made their presence known and a Great
Grey Shrike sat in a clearing (my 13th sighting this autumn) but neither sight
nor sound of woodpeckers of any description. Out with the phone and loudspeaker
and I played bursts of 3-toe call and drumming. After 3 km of walking (although
only 1km from the car as the 3-toe flies) I played the recording and heard the
sound of a bird flying towards me. Nothing to see at first but then YES!!! A
THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. By the lack of yellow on the head this was a female
although it did very briefly drum (according to BWP both sexes do drum). It was
quite misty and dark so I didn’t manage any good photos but I was able to enjoy
the bird for a couple of minutes before it flew off. It did call in response to
provocation but otherwise was entirely silent with no tapping sounds heard as
it fed. I am quite sure that I would not have been lucky without using sound
provocation – no wonder I have not been lucky before. I will have to return in
the spring to see if I can localise some drumming birds.
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| Three-toed Woodpecker |
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| Long-tailed Tit |
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