Credit: Steve Oakes, AEBS Limited
One of our designs is the lesser spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor). I'm sure many of you may not be familiar with this bird, that’s one the main reasons why we chose it - to raise awareness and funds for it's much-needed conservation.
If you see a woodpecker in your garden or local park, the chances are it will be a great spotted woodpecker or a green woodpecker. The lesser spotted woodpecker has declined significantly and rapidly since around 1980 and has subsequently disappeared from many of its former localities. In the period of the BTO’s Common Birds Census we lost 60% between 1968 and 1999. The species is now Red Listed, which means it is classified under the highest conservational concern in the UK. There are thought to be only 1500 pairs left in Britain.
By Thermos - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5.
The species is associated with open woodland, especially oak woods and orchards. Dead trees and decaying branches provide soft timber in which to build nests and search for food. In the UK, the species is mainly limited to the south with the highest density of population occurring in the south-east of England. Lesser spotted woodpeckers do not breed in Scotland or on islands, such as the Isle of Wight, (although they are found on the Channel Islands) and they are absent from Ireland. In northern England, the lesser spotted is extremely local in Yorkshire, rare in Lancashire and in Wales, scattered pairs occur apart from in the far west.
Our lesser spotted woodpecker range raises funds for the British Trust for Ornithology.
Most likely causes of this decline? Competition with and predation by great spotted woodpeckers, and reductions in small-diameter dead wood suitable for foraging. The species' large home ranges suggest that landscape-scale changes in woodland (loss of mature broadleaved woodland, losses of non-woodland trees such as elms, and woodland fragmentation) may also be important.
With the sale of all of our lesser spotted woodpecker products, we donate 10% to the British Trust for Ornithology. They will use this money to help fund conservation and research projects to help stop the decline of this beautiful species of bird, and make it a more familiar sight within our woodlands.
Have you ever seen a lesser spotted woodpecker? Perhaps you are lucky enough to see them regularly where you live? We'd love to hear from you if you do. Please comment below the blog so we can share this information with others.
Thank you.
PLEASE NOTE: these aprons are ex-display and so may be a little bit grubby in places, particularly on the straps. Nothing a wash will not get out! They are non refundable for this reason.
This clean, fresh 100% cotton Creature Candy apron features a beautiful hand drawn image of a lesser spotted woodpecker Dendrocopos minor. A perfect gift for lovers of baking, or those with a fondness for birds and nature.
Designed and made in England.
Machine washable at 40℃.
Size: 83cm x 57cm with adjustable neck strap and large front pocket.
10% of the purchase price will be donated to the British Trust for Ornithology.
Did you know? Lesser spotted woodpeckers are not a common bird throughout the UK, and can only be found in certain areas, mainly isolated to the south of England. They are almost non-existent in the north of England.
Invite nature inside with our Creature Candy print, featuring a beautiful hand drawn image of a lesser spotted woodpecker Dendrocopos minor. Each print is presented on textured paper, giving the image a sense of depth and realism.
Available in A4.
Designed and made in England.
Prints are unframed and printed on sustainably sourced paper.
10% of the purchase price will be donated to the wildlife charities we support.
Did you know? There is a distinct difference between males and females, the clearest feature being the crimson-red crown of the male. Females, on the other hand, are almost entirely black and white, and feature no colour at all.
Keep in touch with your loved ones with our range of Creature Candy greetings cards. Our woodpecker card features a beautiful hand drawn image of a lesser spotted woodpecker Dendrocopos minor. Cards are A6 size, blank inside and come with a light grey envelope.
Printed on FSC certified paper.
Designed and made in England.
10% of the purchase price will be donated to the wildlife charities we support.
Did you know? Like all woodpeckers, lesser spotted woodpeckers live in tree cavities which they create themselves, with most of the work being undertaken by males.
