This is the shot I wanted
And I didn’t disturb the bird to get it.
We discovered a Green Woodpeckers’ nest just over a month ago. Since then they’ve finished incubating their eggs and are raising at least two large chicks. They are extremely sensitive to any disturbance so when we photograph them, it’s with telephoto lenses with teleconverters from a respectful distance and we’re hidden in portable hides. These birds can see an ant move from the top of a tree, so I draw the mesh across so they can’t even see my hands move in the shadows inside the hide.
I tell no-one about the nest. Unfortunately word gets out and, back from Rome, I pop along to see them and the ground is littered with a dozen people in beachwear, scattered, lounging around in the sunshine beneath their nest tree, all desperate for a photo. Few seem to be aware of the disturbance they are causing, the lack of normal behaviour the birds are exhibiting, and the stress they are causing.
I’m thrilled with the photograph, but even more pleased that we didn’t disturb them. No photograph is worth ruining a bird’s life for.
More Green Woodpeckers
Feeding time The Green Woodpecker chick is now large enough to stick its head out of the nesting hole. Previously all we… read more
Yet more Green Woodpeckers Being in a portable hide and spending time with these Green Woodpeckers has been a thrill. Here's the male with… read more
More Green Woodpeckers Okay, I'm getting the hang of these Green Woodpeckers now. You wait for three hours and see nothing. You hear… read more
Finding a Green Woodpeckers’ nest There's the loud laugh of a Green Woodpecker in the woods. My friend abandons his camera and bag and rushes… read more
Can you see it? I'm walking along the outskirts of my local industrial estate when a bird flies up from in front of me.… read more
A juvenile Green Woodpecker Our friend Paolo is driving us round some of his favourite birding spots in Tarquinia in Italy. It's hot, I've… read more
Come here, Green Woodpecker, come here There's a Green Woodpecker here at RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes. I can hear its laughing call in the distance. I'm… read more