Lesser Spot Network
@lesserspotnet.bsky.social
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker conservation project supporting birdwatching volunteers to find & record Lesser Spots, their nests & breeding outcomes. Posts by Ken & Linda Smith, website www.woodpecker-network.org.uk
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
Happy Christmas to one and all
December 25, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Happy Christmas to one and all
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
Thanks to everyone who came along at #BES2025 to chat about my work on phenological synchrony with @kenandlindasmith.bsky.social and @piedflynet.bsky.social
Even for specialist species, mismatch may only matter in years where resources are scarce 🐦🐛
If I missed you at the conference, get in touch!
Even for specialist species, mismatch may only matter in years where resources are scarce 🐦🐛
If I missed you at the conference, get in touch!
If you're at the @britishecologicalsociety.org #BES2025 in Edinburgh and interested in #phenology, come and find me for a chat about how resource abundance modulates the impacts of the trophic #mismatch.
My poster is A17.21 in the Cromdale Hall, and I'll be there from 6pm this evening!
🌳 -> 🐛 -> 🐦
My poster is A17.21 in the Cromdale Hall, and I'll be there from 6pm this evening!
🌳 -> 🐛 -> 🐦
December 18, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Thanks to everyone who came along at #BES2025 to chat about my work on phenological synchrony with @kenandlindasmith.bsky.social and @piedflynet.bsky.social
Even for specialist species, mismatch may only matter in years where resources are scarce 🐦🐛
If I missed you at the conference, get in touch!
Even for specialist species, mismatch may only matter in years where resources are scarce 🐦🐛
If I missed you at the conference, get in touch!
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
Bioacoustics as a tool for the detection and monitoring of a scarce woodland bird – the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker paper now live in the latest British Birds journal.
Read more:
Read more:
Bioacoustics as a tool for the detection and monitoring of a scarce woodland bird – the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Having declined massively in numbers and range in Britain over the last few decades, the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dryobates minor is a priority...
britishbirds.co.uk
December 19, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Bioacoustics as a tool for the detection and monitoring of a scarce woodland bird – the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker paper now live in the latest British Birds journal.
Read more:
Read more:
Acoustic monitoring for Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers - LesserSpotNet is fully involved with this excellent initiative being developed by BTO which is all positive for the conservation of LSWs
⚠️ The UK’s smallest and rarest woodpecker, the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is a shy and elusive bird. It’s rapidly becoming one of our scarcest breeding birds, with substantial declines since the 1980s. 🧵⬇️ #bioacoustics #ornithology
December 15, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Acoustic monitoring for Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers - LesserSpotNet is fully involved with this excellent initiative being developed by BTO which is all positive for the conservation of LSWs
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
Felt like spring this morning. Lesser spots seemed to think so with lots of calling some displaying and then some calm feeding in the beautiful light. @lesserspotnet.bsky.social @angusrobin.bsky.social #Birds
December 10, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Felt like spring this morning. Lesser spots seemed to think so with lots of calling some displaying and then some calm feeding in the beautiful light. @lesserspotnet.bsky.social @angusrobin.bsky.social #Birds
Our paper in December's @britishbirds.bsky.social describes success in using sound recording for detecting Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. We found Lesser Spots still present in woodlands where they have not been seen/heard for years. This is very exciting www.woodpecker-network.org.uk/index.php/ne...
Woodpecker Network - Acoustic Monitoring for detection of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers
A forum to encourage and facilitate the study of woodpeckers in Britain and Ireland
www.woodpecker-network.org.uk
December 6, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Our paper in December's @britishbirds.bsky.social describes success in using sound recording for detecting Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. We found Lesser Spots still present in woodlands where they have not been seen/heard for years. This is very exciting www.woodpecker-network.org.uk/index.php/ne...
Excellent thread from @btobirds.bsky.social on this game changing development for studying Lesser Spots
1/ A new study from @lesserspotnet.bsky.social & BTO in @britishbirds.bsky.social looks at how passive acoustic monitoring is an effective way of surveying Lesser Spotted Woodpecker ➡️ www.bto.org/LSWBioacoust...
#bioacoustics #ornithology @simongillings.bsky.social @hosbirding.bsky.social
#bioacoustics #ornithology @simongillings.bsky.social @hosbirding.bsky.social
December 5, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Excellent thread from @btobirds.bsky.social on this game changing development for studying Lesser Spots
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
Excellent @britishbirds.bsky.social paper from @lesserspotnet.bsky.social et al. using passive acoustic monitoring.
LS detected at >60% of sites in southern England, most of which had no recent records. Drums/calls very few over thousands of hours. Birders' chances of an encounter clearly very low!
LS detected at >60% of sites in southern England, most of which had no recent records. Drums/calls very few over thousands of hours. Birders' chances of an encounter clearly very low!
December 3, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Excellent @britishbirds.bsky.social paper from @lesserspotnet.bsky.social et al. using passive acoustic monitoring.
LS detected at >60% of sites in southern England, most of which had no recent records. Drums/calls very few over thousands of hours. Birders' chances of an encounter clearly very low!
LS detected at >60% of sites in southern England, most of which had no recent records. Drums/calls very few over thousands of hours. Birders' chances of an encounter clearly very low!
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
Brilliant to see the most Lesser Spotted Woodpecker nests monitored, and how acoustic monitoring is being used. Great work @lesserspotnet.bsky.social!
You can discover more about acoustic monitoring and donate to our appeal here: www.bto.org/support-us/a...
You can discover more about acoustic monitoring and donate to our appeal here: www.bto.org/support-us/a...
Something to celebrate - our 2025 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker report - successful breeding season, the most nests monitored & highest number of chicks fledged per nest since we started in 2015. Acoustic monitoring giving amazing results too, download here www.woodpecker-network.org.uk/images/L_S_W...
December 2, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Brilliant to see the most Lesser Spotted Woodpecker nests monitored, and how acoustic monitoring is being used. Great work @lesserspotnet.bsky.social!
You can discover more about acoustic monitoring and donate to our appeal here: www.bto.org/support-us/a...
You can discover more about acoustic monitoring and donate to our appeal here: www.bto.org/support-us/a...
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
Wonderful morning at the Wyre forest rewarded with 20 min of a pair of lesser spotted woodpecker crisp morning perfect @lesserspotnet.bsky.social
November 30, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Wonderful morning at the Wyre forest rewarded with 20 min of a pair of lesser spotted woodpecker crisp morning perfect @lesserspotnet.bsky.social
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
See this encouraging update about Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers in the UK.
We will have the pleasure of hearing more from Ken and Linda Smith of the LesserSpot Network when they give a talk for BOC about their work, on 18th February 2026 (get it in your diary).
#ukbirding
We will have the pleasure of hearing more from Ken and Linda Smith of the LesserSpot Network when they give a talk for BOC about their work, on 18th February 2026 (get it in your diary).
#ukbirding
Something to celebrate - our 2025 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker report - successful breeding season, the most nests monitored & highest number of chicks fledged per nest since we started in 2015. Acoustic monitoring giving amazing results too, download here www.woodpecker-network.org.uk/images/L_S_W...
November 28, 2025 at 11:04 AM
See this encouraging update about Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers in the UK.
We will have the pleasure of hearing more from Ken and Linda Smith of the LesserSpot Network when they give a talk for BOC about their work, on 18th February 2026 (get it in your diary).
#ukbirding
We will have the pleasure of hearing more from Ken and Linda Smith of the LesserSpot Network when they give a talk for BOC about their work, on 18th February 2026 (get it in your diary).
#ukbirding
Something to celebrate - our 2025 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker report - successful breeding season, the most nests monitored & highest number of chicks fledged per nest since we started in 2015. Acoustic monitoring giving amazing results too, download here www.woodpecker-network.org.uk/images/L_S_W...
November 22, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Something to celebrate - our 2025 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker report - successful breeding season, the most nests monitored & highest number of chicks fledged per nest since we started in 2015. Acoustic monitoring giving amazing results too, download here www.woodpecker-network.org.uk/images/L_S_W...
This is a brilliant initiative. Woodpecker Network is working with BTO to develop a passive acoustic monitoring module for Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. Trials have proved successful in reliably detecting their drums and calls, revealing many new locations.
Birdsong is not only beautiful, it’s also full of information. This is where Acoustic Monitoring comes in. Will you support the development of this new and important work? Find out more and donate today ➡️ www.bto.org/acoustic... #bioacoustics #ornithology
November 17, 2025 at 10:18 AM
This is a brilliant initiative. Woodpecker Network is working with BTO to develop a passive acoustic monitoring module for Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. Trials have proved successful in reliably detecting their drums and calls, revealing many new locations.
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
Here is another sample page from my forthcoming book THE PIED WOODPECKERS. Due out February 2026.
October 4, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Here is another sample page from my forthcoming book THE PIED WOODPECKERS. Due out February 2026.
We hear that LesserSpotNet volunteer Toby @tobywildlife.bsky.social will be featuring on Countryfile, BBC1 this Sunday at 17:15, in an item on the ecology of Herefordshire’s habitats - it could well be interesting.
October 9, 2025 at 9:23 PM
We hear that LesserSpotNet volunteer Toby @tobywildlife.bsky.social will be featuring on Countryfile, BBC1 this Sunday at 17:15, in an item on the ecology of Herefordshire’s habitats - it could well be interesting.
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
Nice walk in the Wyre forest good to hear LSW calling the second time in a week at this location
August 27, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Nice walk in the Wyre forest good to hear LSW calling the second time in a week at this location
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
In the week the @eounion.bsky.social met @bangoruniversity.bsky.social, latest findings from @lesserspotnet.bsky.social provide hope for this hard-to-find bird.
@northwaleslive.bsky.social BirdNotes also rounds up the week's scarcer sightings. #BirdingWales
www.birdnotes.wales/blog/experts...
@northwaleslive.bsky.social BirdNotes also rounds up the week's scarcer sightings. #BirdingWales
www.birdnotes.wales/blog/experts...
Experts help unlock the secrets of our smallest woodpecker
Leading ornithologists from across the world met in Bangor last week as the University hosted the European Ornithologists Union conference. It is only the second time the UK has been the venue for...
www.birdnotes.wales
August 25, 2025 at 4:01 PM
In the week the @eounion.bsky.social met @bangoruniversity.bsky.social, latest findings from @lesserspotnet.bsky.social provide hope for this hard-to-find bird.
@northwaleslive.bsky.social BirdNotes also rounds up the week's scarcer sightings. #BirdingWales
www.birdnotes.wales/blog/experts...
@northwaleslive.bsky.social BirdNotes also rounds up the week's scarcer sightings. #BirdingWales
www.birdnotes.wales/blog/experts...
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
I've made it to #EOU2025 in Bangor, and I'm starting with the #BOUatEOU symposium on #WoodlandBirds. Lovely talk by Ken Smith, who's been studying the nesting habits of #LesserSpottedWoodpeckers in the UK over decades. #CitizenScience @lesserspotnet.bsky.social @bou.org.uk @eounion.bsky.social
August 18, 2025 at 12:12 PM
I've made it to #EOU2025 in Bangor, and I'm starting with the #BOUatEOU symposium on #WoodlandBirds. Lovely talk by Ken Smith, who's been studying the nesting habits of #LesserSpottedWoodpeckers in the UK over decades. #CitizenScience @lesserspotnet.bsky.social @bou.org.uk @eounion.bsky.social
1 Pleased to be presenting the latest results gathered by Woodpecker-Network volunteers on Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers and what we can do to conserve them better #BOUatEOU www.woodpecker-netwo...
August 18, 2025 at 11:30 AM
1 Pleased to be presenting the latest results gathered by Woodpecker-Network volunteers on Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers and what we can do to conserve them better #BOUatEOU www.woodpecker-netwo...
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
We will be representing Woodpecker Network the BOU Woodland Birds Conference on 18 August 2025 at Bangor. Ken is giving a talk ‘Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers: how citizen science is contributing to our understanding of this enigmatic species’ We are both looking forward to it bou.org.uk/wp-content/u...
bou.org.uk
August 13, 2025 at 3:43 PM
We will be representing Woodpecker Network the BOU Woodland Birds Conference on 18 August 2025 at Bangor. Ken is giving a talk ‘Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers: how citizen science is contributing to our understanding of this enigmatic species’ We are both looking forward to it bou.org.uk/wp-content/u...
Ken & Linda Smith will be at the BOU Woodland Birds Conference on 18 August 2025 at Bangor. Ken is giving a talk ‘Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers: how citizen science is contributing to our understanding of this enigmatic species’ Looking forward to seeing some of you there bou.org.uk/conferences-...
#BOUatEOU - Resources - British Ornithologists' Union
Woodland birds18 August 2025 - MALT Lecture Theatre, Bangor University, Wales, UK & BlueskyMain conference pagePresenter and attendee resourcesPROGRAMMEABSTRACT BOOKLETBOU GUIDE TO BLUESKY CONFERENCES...
bou.org.uk
August 13, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Ken & Linda Smith will be at the BOU Woodland Birds Conference on 18 August 2025 at Bangor. Ken is giving a talk ‘Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers: how citizen science is contributing to our understanding of this enigmatic species’ Looking forward to seeing some of you there bou.org.uk/conferences-...
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers like lots of woodland, but not woodland management and forestry. Interesting implications for the remaining populations in Britain: expanding unmanaged (or lightly managed) natural native woodland seems helpful. #ukbirding #ornithology
Effect of habitat quality and quantity on the occurrence and persistence of the lesser spotted woodpecker (Dryobates minor) across two time periods | doi.org/10.1016/j.bi... | Biological Conservation | #ornithology #conservation 🪶🌎
August 12, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers like lots of woodland, but not woodland management and forestry. Interesting implications for the remaining populations in Britain: expanding unmanaged (or lightly managed) natural native woodland seems helpful. #ukbirding #ornithology
An interesting study of Lesser Spots in Sweden in different types of woodlands.
Effect of habitat quality and quantity on the occurrence and persistence of the lesser spotted woodpecker (Dryobates minor) across two time periods | doi.org/10.1016/j.bi... | Biological Conservation | #ornithology #conservation 🪶🌎
August 11, 2025 at 4:02 PM
An interesting study of Lesser Spots in Sweden in different types of woodlands.
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
Just arrived the plan for next spring the lesser spotted woodpecker survey for south and mid wales passive recording @lesserspotnet.bsky.social
July 27, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Just arrived the plan for next spring the lesser spotted woodpecker survey for south and mid wales passive recording @lesserspotnet.bsky.social
Reposted by Lesser Spot Network
It was a privilege to invite @lesserspotnet.bsky.social to the Blean and help with their work on nest productivity for these three healthy chicks! Altogether, my woodland survey site within the Blean for the KOS LSW Survey held no less than six territories! #kentbirding @kentishplover.bsky.social
June 24, 2025 at 5:51 PM
It was a privilege to invite @lesserspotnet.bsky.social to the Blean and help with their work on nest productivity for these three healthy chicks! Altogether, my woodland survey site within the Blean for the KOS LSW Survey held no less than six territories! #kentbirding @kentishplover.bsky.social