If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a great surprise, indeed!
If you’re a nature lover, February is a great month for birdwatching. Specifically, it’s a great time to look out for the great spotted woodpecker. Great spotted woodpeckers drum loudly on dead wood found amid trees and occasionally even on house boardings or other metalwork, so it’s likely that you’ll hear them before you see them.
With drumming skills of up to 40 strikes per second (the impact of which is like ramming into a wall at 20 miles an hour, face-first… insane!) This woodpecker has a hinge between the front of its skull and beak, and a shock-absorbing muscle, which ultimately protects his brain from vibration and concussion, allowing him to do his thing.
Whilst the male woodpecker does most of the drumming, as his way of marking his territory and letting the lady ‘peckers know that he’s available, the female will eventually reply by drumming back when mating season approaches and spring begins to bloom.
The fascinating wonders of nature, ey? For more information, visit www.gwct.org.uk.
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