Great Spotted Woodpecker at Killoughter Lane

Another massive range expansion in recent years has been that of the Great Spotted Woodpecker. The UK population has apparently exploded due to the popularity of bird feeders, and they have made their way across the Irish Sea. Wicklow is the current stronghold, and one of the easiest places to see them is on the feeders of a bird-friendly chap who lives on Killoughter Lane, south of Newcastle in Wicklow.

Another scarce bird that visits the feeders is Jay, of which I saw three this afternoon.

Female Great Spotted Woodpecker.