birdcall

We had a couple of green woodpeckers which regularly came last year to get the ants from a grassy bank in our garden, parent and large chick. I was worried because two magpies were menacing the chick, when all of a sudden it turned and chased them off!

We've a lesser spotted woodpecker on one of our bird feeders over the last few weeks. Don't see those so often nowadays.

And there is a bluetit inside the nesting box, pecking away at the wood. I think he's giving it a complete refurbishment.

I have Chirp on my iPhone and find it really useful. This morning, a pair of great tits are picking all the dog hairs out of my back doormat for their nest. Last year, it was chaffinches who got there first. Great to see the activity going on, and one nesting box has been leased by bluetits

This morning there is a green woodpecker laughing away in the tree behind my garden. It must be the season for them - a mating call?

There's a wonderful App called Chirp which gives photographs and information about many birds together with recordings of their songs.

Kookaburra? Where are you?

I've been trying to identify a particular bird song and now I know that there is a green woodpecker if not in our garden then in the field next door so thank you for the links shysal and Culag, they are both good and I know I'll be returning to them.

Sorry about my spelling! My 'f' key has to be bashed to operate it, so doesn't like doubles!

You often see green woodpeckers on the grass. They eat ants among other things.

got it thank you all,i used your link shysal its a green woodpecker we have a very large tree in the field at the bottom of our garden i think it must be in there thank you so much all,i am going to sit in the garden with a and look for it now

www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/g/greenwoodpecker/
The green woodpecker has a laugh, listen to the audio on the link. Remember Profesor Yafle on Bagpuss? Although it drums on trees, it is mainly a ground feeder for insects. I also agree the loudness suggests a cackling magpie or jay.

Thinking about it, it's more likely a magpie. They're on the increase, especially in urban areas where there's stuff for them to scrounge.

Could it be the call, rather than the song, of a mistle thrush?

www.bto.org/about-birds/bird-id/know-your-thrushes-song-and-mistle

Try the RSPB site.

Jay?