Pas-de-Calais, Black Woodpecker (2 Viewers)

[mallingbirder]

Are there still reliable sites in this region for Black Woodpecker? Considering doing a channel hop early December specifically for this species, and Crested Tit if sites nearby. We will have day length against us so the closer to the Chunnel the better! Any tips or advice welcomed.

 

[AugustASDT]

Black Woodpeckers can be found in the forests south of Boulogne-Sur-Mer.
A closer site is the Foret Domaniale de Guines, a big forest south of Calais.

Crested tit can be found in those forests too.

 

[mallingbirder]

Thanks for the quick reply. Foret Domaniale de Guines is only 25 mins away from Coquelles so seems a good option. Large area though, so any tips or links with more precise details would be great of where....or is it a case of striking it lucky! Any details on woods south of Bologne would be useful as a back up.

Thanks again

Adam

 

[AugustASDT]

Thanks for the quick reply. Foret Domaniale de Guines is only 25 mins away from Coquelles so seems a good option. Large area though, so any tips or links with more precise details would be great of where....or is it a case of striking it lucky! Any details on woods south of Bologne would be useful as a back up.

Thanks again

Adam

I would park your car at this location.

I guess it is a case of striking it lucky indeed. But this seems like a nice walk:

 

[Jonathan Williams]

Learn the calls is the best bit of advice I can give, they give a couple of very bizarre un-woodpecker like calls. A long drawn out keeeeeewwww and I think a flight call krri-krri-krri-krri-krri.

Cracking birds too.

 

[John Cantelo]

Interesting that BW are now in Foret Domaniale de Guines - they seem to be consolidating their range in NW France - perhaps they'll really reach the UK somewhen soon.

I've seen and heard them several times near Dannes. Just park where indicated on the attached map and follow paths into woodland. You'll know you're in the right place as the noticeboards in the car park feature Black Woodpeckers. As JW indicates, learing the call is very useful - more like essential - for locating them and having a chance of seeing them.