Rare woodpecker spotted at Telford lake

Tim Preston makes regular trips to Dothill Pool and Tee Lake, near his home in Wellington, in Telford.

And on a visit earlier this month he managed to catch a glimpse of a lesser spotted woodpecker, which is on the RSPB's conservation red list. It is the smallest and least common of the three woodpeckers that live in Britain.

Mr Preston, who has had his wildlife photographs featured in Shropshire Life, the 2010 Muller Shropshire Calendar and on the BBC nature website, began visiting the pools in April.

"I have been into photography for several years now. Motorsport photography is my main passion but this area is literally my back yard, being a two minute stroll from my house and it would be a shame not to enjoy it," he said.

"I knew what the woodpecker was when I saw it. Initially I thought it was a tree creeper but then realised it was too big. I have been interested in wildlife ever since I was a child. My parents have fed the birds in their garden for as long as I can remember.

"Unfortunately I haven't seen any other rare birds at the lake, although I was talking to a lady on Monday evening who has seen a cuckoo there recently. I have seen bullfinches, chiff chaffs, nuthatches, jays and much more, even birds of prey such as buzzards and a sparrow hawk."

Geoff Holmes, Shropshire bird recorder, said the woodpecker was a rare find in the county. He said: "Lesser spot used to be fairly widespread and are still found at the Wrekin. However, they are now rare in the county and have declined nationally to such an extent that the population is monitored by the Rare Breeding Birds Panel."

Mr Preston has now set up a Facebook group to show his photographs from the pool and to encourage more people to visit the area.

The website is at www.facebook. com/DothillPoolAndTeeLake

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