Three-toed Woodpecker, in Berlin??? (1 Viewer)

[PinkoPete]

I was in Berlin last weekend and on Monday went for an early morning walk in Grosser Tiergarten to enjoy the Goshawks and Tree Sparrows. I heard a woodpecker drumming on a pine tree by a stream towards the Grosser Duerallee area of the Tiergarten. The bird appeared to be similar in size to a Great Spotted Woodpecker but seemed to have a different shaped head and was overall darker in appearance and without the usual obvious white patches on its back. There was a distinct pale area down the middle of its otherwise dark back. I am confident this was a central patch on the back and not a wing-patch. It flew off as I approached for a better view and I was unable to locate it. It looked to me like a Three-toed Woodpecker, but could such a bird turn up in a large city park? Some local knowledge would be very welcome.

 

[jurek]

It would be a great rarity in this part of Germany. Possibly you saw Middle or Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, both resident there?

 

[Zheljko]

I think it is almost impossible to see them outside of remote mountain areas. The white-backed woodpecker is similarly aloof.

 

[Sangahyando]

Probably Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. given the description of the pattern. I think I mistook one of those for Three-toed once, in a place that was similarly unsuitable for the latter (but very typical for LSW).
LSW occurs throughout Germany, although not in large numbers unfortunately, and is a typical inhabitant of riparian forests. I think the Tiergarten would suit it just fine, all the more given Berlin's reputation for its avian biodiversity. I'd be very much surprised if the Three-toed Woodpecker turned up anywhere in Germany outside of the Alps and the more southerly mountain ranges (e.g. Bayrischer Wald).

 

[PinkoPete]

Thanks!

Thank you everyone - it is very helpful to have some local advice on this. I will assume that I was mistaken and the poor light was playing tricks on my ageing eyesight!
Best wishes.