Great Spotted Woodpecker showing well in the Cemy.

Sunday 2nd February 2025.

The Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen this morning here in the Cemetery.

It was back over Highland Road Cemetery this morning and a glorious morning it was too walking around my ‘local path’ with the sun blazing away. Again, the temperature never got into double figures, but it was a pleasure just to be out in the sunshine after so much rain we have had this week.

Above, this Blue Tit was the first bird seen as I entered the Cemy with my dogs. Below, not many Blackbirds were seen this morning. This female bird showed briefly.

Above, two of the many trees that were pruned by the Council this week. Below, a view of the Chapel looking west.

Sixteen species were recorded this morning that included the male Great Spotted Woodpecker again, high up in one of the Chestnut trees in the centre of the Cemetery. There was no sign of the Green Woodpecker today, but a Jay flew over and landed in a tree close to where I stood. But it was far too quick to grab a photo of the bird as it flew off over the Cemetery with something in its bill. It was good to see the Collared Doves back in the Cemy. I heard one calling first then looked south and saw a pair of birds fly into a tree close to the houses. All the usual birds were present as it will not be long now before the first Wheatear to turn up. They are virtually annual in the Cemetery, so I shall be keeping a very sharp eye out for one.

Above and below, love them or loathe them, I counted 14 Magpie's in all in one of the trees here.

Above, a pair of Carrion Crows were high up in the Oak tree and below, another photo of the male Great Spotted Woodpecker.

The male Great Spotted Woodpecker.

A lot of tree pruning has been going on throughout  the week here by the Council and it was evident with the exposed branches standing out like sore thumbs. Don't get me wrong, but the Council have done a stellar job here and are very tidy too. I was hoping that a Brimstone butterfly might have been on the wing here this morning, but there is a good chance one might be out in the afternoon when it warms up a bit.

The birds seen or heard this morning included the following:

• Collared Dove
• Wood Pigeon
• Feral Pigeon
• Herring Gull
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Jay
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Goldfinch
• Blackbird
• Wren
• Robin
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Great Spotted Woodpecker: male

Earlier today, Matt & Emma Parkes connected with the 'drumming' male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Acres Down. Below, for the second week running, Andy's moth trap yesterday attracted another Acleris notana / ferrrugana micro moth.