Local rarity 27.03.14

I received a text from Neale, another birder who lives in Little Hadham, saying he had come across a lesser spotted woodpecker near Bishop's Stortford, so I headed to town to try my luck. A couple of birders were already present but hadn't found it. A nuthatch called but nothing else. After about 15 minutes of searching, movement and some drumming, as expected, twice as long as GSW and much quieter. Another few minutes elapsed before the bird showed, in amongst branches and  not in a good photo position.

lesser spotted woodpecker

However, it moved closer and was watched excavating a hole in a position that permitted some, if still distant, but better views and photo opportunities. A male with the red crown. A few calls and it remained at the tree hole for 15 minutes before eventually flying to further trees a few 100 yards away and out of sight. Unfortunately, as it posed, the sun was covered by cloud, so I plan to return on a brighter day for some more snaps.