Wildlife UK Forum - Discuss the UK countryside and wildlife

I just thought I would share my sad story with you. The other day, while having coffee with a friend at my house, a huge bird of prey flew low, past my patio window, minutes later my dog found something by our shed, which turned out to be a greater spotted woodpecker. It was very stressed and weak, so I brought it in, and wrapped it in a towel, while phoning RSPB for advice. It seems that either the woodpecker was being chased by the Bird of prey and hit the shed, or had been caught by it and dropped. This was very distressing for me, being an avid garden bird feeder. I was told how to care for this bird by the RSPB, but unfortunatly a few hours later it died! Very sad day in my house. I know its only natural for birds of prey to hunt, but this upset me very much. Its not often I see a woodpecker in my garden, so this was such a shame.

It's a shame the woodpecker had to die, but birds of prey have to eat aswell.

A few years ago a neighbour showed me a dead greenfinch and sparrowhawk on the ground below her window. We assumed the latter was chasing the former and that in the panic the greenfinch tried to fly through the window. The sparrowhawk was just too intent on catching its prey and crashed in to the window too.

GS Woodpeckers will take young of many tits etc if they can get at them-drilling holes into nests and taking out the youngsters. As harsh as this may appear- GS Woodpeckers have a dark side to their nature than their colourful appearance might suggest.