Great Spotted Woodpeckers in Ireland
When the Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) is present in Ireland, when it nests, and which native Ireland plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Ireland
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- April–June
- Size
- 23 cm, 85 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect great spotted woodpeckers in Ireland
The Great Spotted Woodpecker lives in Ireland all year round. Mild winters with little snow; Redwings and Fieldfares feed in hedges and fields.
Recolonised since 2006; spreading.
Oceanic climate — mild, humid and consistently wet, especially in the west.
Nesting in Ireland
In Ireland the Great Spotted Woodpecker usually nests April–June. Nest site: excavated tree hole. Clutches are 4–6 eggs, incubated for 10–13 days; chicks fledge after 20–24 days, and pairs raise 1 per year.
- The Great Spotted Woodpecker does not use enclosed nest boxes — dense native shrubs and climbers give it nest sites.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native Ireland plants for great spotted woodpeckers
Of the native plants we track for Ireland, these 8 provide food the Great Spotted Woodpecker uses:
Haws feed thrushes all winter; spring blossom supports hundreds of insect species.
Late-winter berries when little else is left, plus dense nesting cover.
Late-summer berries taken by Blackcaps and thrushes.
Thorny cover that protects nests; early blossom for insects.
Berries and nest sites in its tangles; moths for insect-eaters.
Blackberries and impenetrable nesting cover.
Seed heads for Goldfinches and a nectar source for insects.
Early-summer cherries for Blackbirds and Jays.
Feeding in the garden
Insect larvae, seeds and nuts; also nestlings.
- Best foods: Peanuts, Suet.
- Feeders: Suet cage, Peanut mesh.
- Juveniles have a red crown — often mistaken for another species in summer.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are great spotted woodpeckers in Ireland all year?
Yes — the Great Spotted Woodpecker is resident in Ireland all year. Recolonised since 2006; spreading.
When do great spotted woodpeckers nest in Ireland?
Typically April–June. Clutches are 4–6 eggs, incubated for 10–13 days, with 1 per year.
Which native plants help great spotted woodpeckers in Ireland?
Hawthorn, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Honeysuckle, Bramble, Common knapweed, Wild cherry are native to Ireland and provide food or cover the Great Spotted Woodpecker uses.
Great Spotted Woodpeckers in other countries
Other garden birds in Ireland
Sources
- Great Spotted Woodpecker — RSPB bird guide
- Great Spotted Woodpecker — BTO BirdFacts
- Bird Atlas 2007–11 — BirdWatch Ireland / BTO
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.