Green Woodpeckers in Wales
When the Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis) is present in Wales, when it nests, and which native Wales plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Wales
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- April–June
- Size
- 32 cm, 190 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
- Delivery
- Perch Supply ships to the UK
When to expect green woodpeckers in Wales
The Green Woodpecker lives in Wales all year round. Mild coastal winters; the uplands see snow and birds move down into valley gardens.
Mild, wet maritime climate with upland moorland and sheltered coastal valleys.
Nesting in Wales
In Wales the Green Woodpecker usually nests April–June. Nest site: excavated tree hole. Clutches are 5–7 eggs, incubated for 19–20 days; chicks fledge after 18–21 days, and pairs raise 1 per year.
- The Green 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 Wales plants for green woodpeckers
Of the native plants we track for Wales, these 8 provide food the Green 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
Mainly ants dug from lawns.
- Does not visit feeders — habitat and water are what bring it in.
- Leave lawns unsprayed to keep ants — its main food.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are green woodpeckers in Wales all year?
Yes — the Green Woodpecker is resident in Wales all year.
When do green woodpeckers nest in Wales?
Typically April–June. Clutches are 5–7 eggs, incubated for 19–20 days, with 1 per year.
Which native plants help green woodpeckers in Wales?
Hawthorn, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Honeysuckle, Bramble, Common knapweed, Wild cherry are native to Wales and provide food or cover the Green Woodpecker uses.
Green Woodpeckers in other countries
Other garden birds in Wales
Sources
- Green Woodpecker — RSPB bird guide
- Green Woodpecker — BTO BirdFacts
- Bird Atlas 2007–11 — British Trust for Ornithology
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.