He's back!

 

(Nikon D300)

The great spotted woodpecker is back and doing its best to enter the bird box again. Due to strong winds today I opted not to setup my cameras outside. As such after hearing knocking and suspecting the woodpecker my only option was to grab the camera and shoot through the window. Hence the poor images. Once the woodpecker's head had entered the hole I stopped photographing and tapped on the window. As it flew away it discarded a clump of grey down feathers, which were probably from the nest. I doubt that it will be able to reach the chicks despite its long beak as its shoulders will not allow it to ingress further. Meanwhile beneath the nest box was one of the adult great tits looking on nervously. The other adult may well have been inside defending its chicks.

(Nikon D300)

Soon after posting this the woodpecker was back again ...

(Nikon D5200)

... and soon after these photos were taken it was back a third time in the space of an hour ...

It makes you realise just how important bird boxes are for small birds like tits as it cannot be easy finding suitable places to nest that are safe from predators like these woodpeckers.

Meanwhile the great tits carry on regardless bringing food in between these interruptions. Feeding the young protein (a spider) while topping up themselves at the bird table.