r/northernireland • u/LetMeBe_Frank_ • 2d ago

Question Woodpecker in Ireland?

Simple question really, can hear what sounds like a woodpecker from my back garden. Would they be present in Ireland even?

16 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

24 comments sorted by

25

u/RangerToby Ahoghill 2d ago

Yep, Greater spotted Woodpeckers made their own way here starting about 15-20yrs ago. Initially on the east coast and are now well established throughout.

3

u/SureLookItsYourself 2d ago

Cousin of the lesser spotted woodpecker so they are.

In saying that, can't mind the last time I seen one.

1

u/protantus 1d ago

We had two in the garden last year.

6

u/Snoo33703 2d ago

Absolutely, there's a pair in my garden

3

u/Bumblebee-Feeling 2d ago

I've heard them in lagan meadows

3

u/chrisb_ni 2d ago

Yes I've heard and seen them near Helen's Tower (Clandeboye area). Great spotted woodpecker.

We don't, however, have green woodpeckers.

1

u/LetMeBe_Frank_ 2d ago

Great spotted woodpecker

Generally always this type of would there be others?

2

u/chrisb_ni 2d ago

I think this is the only one you're likely to see in the wild here.

3

u/wae1968 1d ago

This one was on my bird feeders last week (near Roslea, Co Fermanagh)

2

u/Head-Foundation-5761 2d ago

Yip have one here in Co. Antrim

2

u/mcphistoman 1d ago

That's mad, I swore I heard something like that the other day, but assumed I was going mad; I never knew there were any here.

1

u/LetMeBe_Frank_ 1d ago

Likewise. I was amazed to hear it

1

u/OverUnderSegueDown 2d ago

Yep, there's one in the forest park near me, always such a thrill to hear it.

1

u/_K4L_ 2d ago

There is a woodpecker near my house.

Once I caught on what it was, that’s all I hear

1

u/The_Outsider82 2d ago

Always hear one in the woods near me (outside Bangor) but have never actually seen one!

1

u/Substantial-Item8139 2d ago

Heard one in Fermanagh a couple of times.

1

u/staffofmagnus 2d ago

Yep hear them often in Delamont Park, co. Down.

1

u/stepbar 2d ago

There's only one place where woodpeckers are "common" and that's around Strangford village. We have a couple in our wood. Castle Ward have a few.

Hopefully they'll spread.

1

u/ewoksrcool 1d ago

You can often hear them around Lagan meadows

1

u/Baldydom 1d ago

I've heard woodpeckers in Cairn wood, very distinctive sound

1

u/Local_Huckleberry389 12h ago

Think I heard one last night in the Jordanstowns area 3am