Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos major
UK Green ListEasy to see📍 Grizedale Forest
Season
Year-round. Drumming in spring.
Best time of day
Morning. Drumming in March and April.
Lake District
Common in Lakeland woodland. Grizedale. Borrowdale. That drum in spring. Red undertail. Male has red nape. Easy to hear.
UK population
Around 140,000 pairs. Increased.
Overview
Great spotted woodpeckers drum. That rapid tap. Grizedale. Borrowdale. March and April. Red undertail. Male has red nape. They're common. You'll hear them before you see them.
At a Glance
| Order | Piciformes |
| Family | Picidae |
| Habitat | Woodland · Forest · Trees |
| Diet | Insects, seeds. Drums for food. |
| UK population | Around 140,000 pairs. Increased. |
| Lake District | Common in Lakeland woodland. Grizedale. Borrowdale. That drum in spring. Red undertail. Male has red nape. Easy to hear. |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Woodland throughout the Lakes. Grizedale, Borrowdale, Whinlatter. That drum. The red patch.
Identification
Black and white. Red undertail. Male has red nape. Drumming. Unmistakeable.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Woodland. Spring. Listen for the drum. Grizedale. Borrowdale. They're common.
Conservation Status
UK Green List
This species is on the UK Green List, indicating a healthy population status in the UK context. It remains an important component of Lake District biodiversity.
Plan your visit to the Lake District
RSPB Haweswater, Grizedale Forest, Leighton Moss. Practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.