 Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis). Female. Taken at Aston, Oxon., on May 15th 2025. Female. Taken at Aston, Oxon., on May 15th 2025. (© David Hastings) (1/800th sec at f/8. Click image for larger version)  Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis). Juvenile. Taken at Aston, Oxon., on June 30th 2024. Juvenile. Taken at Aston, Oxon., on June 30th 2024. (© David Hastings) (1/800th sec at f8. Click image for larger version) Description L8 30 - 36mm WS 8 45 - 51cm A large woodpecker, greenish with a dagger-like bill. It has a red cap, and a red cheek 'mustache' in the male (black in the female). It has staring eyes and a stiff, notched tail. It is found in most of Britain, but missing from most of northern Scotland, and Ireland. Typical habitats are woodland, heaths and open spaces where ants are found. On the ground it has a peculiar low, short-legged stance, hopping over the ground, probing for ants with its long bill and tongue. There are around 24000 breeding pairs in Britain. Sightings | 25-Aug-2025 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 09-Jul-2025 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 02-Jun-2025 | : | Bernwood Forest, Bucks | (1) | | 31-May-2025 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 28-May-2025 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 15-May-2025 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 15-Apr-2025 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 04-Apr-2025 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (h) | | 26-Mar-2025 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 20-Mar-2025 | : | Aston, Oxon | (h) | | 15-Mar-2025 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 03-Mar-2025 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 25-Jan-2025 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) |
| | 29-Jul-2024 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (1) | | 09-Jul-2024 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1juv) | | 08-Jul-2024 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1juv) | | 30-Jun-2024 | : | Aston, Oxon | (2juv) | | 20-Jun-2024 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1juv) | | 12-Jun-2024 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 17-May-2024 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (h) | | 15-Apr-2024 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 15-Jan-2024 | : | Buckland Warren, Oxon | (h) |
| | 24-Aug-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 17-Aug-2023 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (1) | | 08-Aug-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 27-Jul-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 25-Jul-2023 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (2) | | 25-Jul-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 20-Jul-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 08-Jul-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 16-Jun-2023 | : | Daneway Banks, Gloucs | (1) | | 03-Jun-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 02-Jun-2023 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (h) | | 28-Apr-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 14-Apr-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) |
| | 31-Aug-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 02-Aug-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 31-Jul-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 18-Jun-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 06-Jun-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 22-Mar-2022 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (h) | | 21-Mar-2022 | : | Chimney Meadows, Oxon | (2) | | 31-Jan-2022 | : | Wells Farm, Oxon | (4) |
| | 02-Nov-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 18-Oct-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 26-Jul-2021 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (2) | | 19-Jul-2021 | : | Lardon Chase, Berks | (1) | | 05-Jun-2021 | : | Seven Barrows, Berks | (1) | | 03-Jun-2021 | : | Bucknell Wood, Northants | (1) | | 02-Jun-2021 | : | Lardon Chase, Berks | (1) | | 28-Mar-2021 | : | Greenham Common, Berks | (2) | | 25-Mar-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (h) |
| | 04-Dec-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 05-Sep-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1juv) | | 18-Aug-2020 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (h) | | 11-Jul-2020 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) | | 15-Jun-2020 | : | Chimney Meadows, Oxon | (1) | | 30-May-2020 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 20-May-2020 | : | Lardon Chase, Berks | (1) | | 19-Apr-2020 | : | Bagley Wood, Oxon | (h) | | 16-Apr-2020 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 15-Apr-2020 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (h) | | 12-Apr-2020 | : | Bagley Wood, Oxon | (h) | | 07-Feb-2020 | : | Holkham NNR, Norfolk | (1) |
| | 21-Dec-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 01-Dec-2019 | : | Lower Radley, Oxon | (1) | | 10-Nov-2019 | : | Lower Radley, Oxon | (1) | | 29-Aug-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 04-Aug-2019 | : | Greenham Common, Berks | (2) | | 28-Jul-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 28-Jun-2019 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (h) | | 11-May-2019 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (h) | | 30-Apr-2019 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (h) | | 29-Apr-2019 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (h) | | 15-Apr-2019 | : | Bagley Wood, Oxon | (1) | | 13-Apr-2019 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (h) | | 03-Apr-2019 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (h) | | 23-Mar-2019 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (h) | | 08-Jan-2019 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) |
| | 22-Nov-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 16-Oct-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 12-Jul-2018 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 09-Jul-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 22-May-2018 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 01-May-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (h) | | 28-Apr-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (h) | | 25-Apr-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (h) | | 22-Apr-2018 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (h) | | 21-Apr-2018 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (1) | | 19-Apr-2018 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (h) | | 18-Apr-2018 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 16-Apr-2018 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (h) | | 05-Apr-2018 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (h) | | 03-Apr-2018 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (h) | | 01-Apr-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (h) | | 26-Mar-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 25-Mar-2018 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (h) | | 06-Mar-2018 | : | Baulking, Oxon | (h) | | 25-Feb-2018 | : | Sandford Brake, Oxon | (1) | | 24-Feb-2018 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) | | 23-Feb-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 04-Feb-2018 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (1) | | 30-Jan-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 07-Jan-2018 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) |
| | 22-Dec-2017 | : | Abingdon (NE), Oxon | (1) | | 18-Dec-2017 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (1) | | 23-Aug-2017 | : | Lollingdon Hill, Oxon | (1) | | 10-Aug-2017 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 23-Jul-2017 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (h) | | 17-Jun-2017 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (h) | | 14-Jun-2017 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 05-Jun-2017 | : | Irinovac, Croatia | | | 21-Apr-2017 | : | MoD Arncott | (1) | | 09-Apr-2017 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (1) | | 25-Mar-2017 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1h) |
| | 03-Dec-2016 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (1) | | 03-Jul-2016 | : | Arnside Knott, Cumbria | (1) | | 28-May-2016 | : | Wicken Wood, Bucks | (1) | | 10-Apr-2016 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (1) | | 05-Apr-2016 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1h) | | 31-Mar-2016 | : | Marston Meadows, Oxon | (1h) | | 23-Jan-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) |
| | 29-Aug-2015 | : | Lardon Chase, Berks | (1) | | 08-Aug-2015 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (5) | | 06-Aug-2015 | : | University Parks, Oxford, Oxon | (1) | | 02-Aug-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 22-Jul-2015 | : | Melnik, Bulgaria | (h) | | 11-Jul-2015 | : | The Holies, Berks | (2) | | 17-May-2015 | : | Stockbridge Down, Hants | (1) | | 04-May-2015 | : | Cholsey Marsh, Oxon | (1h) | | 01-May-2015 | : | Arne, Dorset | (2) | | 30-Apr-2015 | : | Arne, Dorset | (1) | | 22-Mar-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (h) | | 07-Mar-2015 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) |
| | 13-Dec-2014 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (1) | | 31-Jul-2014 | : | Gait Barrows NNR, Lancashire | (1) | | 28-Jul-2014 | : | Gait Barrows NNR, Lancashire | (3) | | 26-Jul-2014 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (2) | | 20-Jul-2014 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 06-Jul-2014 | : | Bernwood Forest, Bucks | (1) | | 16-Jun-2014 | : | Daneway Banks, Gloucs | (2) | | 14-Jun-2014 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 01-Jun-2014 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 17-May-2014 | : | Stockbridge Down, Hants | (h) | | 21-Apr-2014 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | | | 10-Apr-2014 | : | Marston Meadows, Oxon | (1h) | | 30-Mar-2014 | : | Thrupp Lane, Radley, Oxon | (1) | | 09-Mar-2014 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 12-Jan-2014 | : | Thrupp Lane, Radley, Oxon | (1) |
| | 23-Nov-2013 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 12-Oct-2013 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (1) | | 20-Aug-2013 | : | University Parks, Oxford, Oxon | (1) | | 18-Aug-2013 | : | Lardon Chase, Berks | (1) | | 04-Aug-2013 | : | Greenham Common, Berks | (1) | | 21-Jul-2013 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (1) | | 29-Jun-2013 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 26-May-2013 | : | Stockbridge Down, Hants | (1) | | 16-May-2013 | : | Marston Meadows, Oxon | | | 12-May-2013 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (1) | | 06-May-2013 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 06-May-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 14-Apr-2013 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 17-Feb-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 26-Jan-2013 | : | Cholsey Marsh, Oxon | (1) |
| | 26-Aug-2012 | : | Greenham Common, Berks | (2) | | 26-Jul-2012 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 02-Jun-2012 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 14-Apr-2012 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 23-Mar-2012 | : | University Parks, Oxford, Oxon | (1) | | 25-Feb-2012 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 15-Jan-2012 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (1) |
| | 13-Jul-2011 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 10-Apr-2011 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | | | 12-Feb-2011 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | |
| | 21-Jun-2010 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 13-Apr-2010 | : | Marston Meadows, Oxon | (1) |
| | 05-Dec-2009 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | | | 12-Sep-2009 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | | | 08-Aug-2009 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (1) | | 28-Jun-2009 | : | Warburg Reserve, Oxon | | | 21-Jun-2009 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 13-Jun-2009 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 09-Jun-2009 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | | | 10-May-2009 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 22-Apr-2009 | : | Sydlings Copse, Oxon | |
| | 14-Dec-2008 | : | Thrupp Lane, Radley, Oxon | (1) | | 15-Jul-2008 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 09-Apr-2008 | : | University Parks, Oxford, Oxon | (1) |
| | 28-Dec-2007 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 04-Nov-2007 | : | Chimney Meadows, Oxon | | | 14-Oct-2007 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | |
| | 10-May-2006 | : | Marston Meadows, Oxon | | | 09-Apr-2006 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 05-Apr-2006 | : | University Parks, Oxford, Oxon | |
| | 25-Nov-2005 | : | Lower Radley, Oxon | | | 31-Jul-2005 | : | Bagley Wood, Oxon | |
| | 11-Jun-1999 | : | University Parks, Oxford, Oxon | |
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