Can you hear drumming in the Trees?
Meet the Woodpeckers of Mallory Meadows
Tucked in the heart of the Leicestershire countryside, Mallory Meadows isn’t just a place for humans to unwind—it’s also a haven for wildlife, including some rather charismatic feathered locals. Two of our most distinctive visitors are the Green Woodpecker and the Great Spotted Woodpecker.
One of our aims when we set up Mallory Meadows was for it to become a haven for wildlife, and we love how many new species have chosen to make their home here. Among them, these beautiful woodpeckers have certainly made themselves comfortable.
The Green Woodpecker, with its striking green plumage and unmistakable laughing call (often likened to a loud chuckle, you can hear it here), is a regular in our grassy clearings. Unlike most of its woodpecker cousins, this one prefers to forage on the ground, feasting on ants with its long, sticky tongue. If you spot a flash of green hopping across the grass, chances are you’ve just met one. For more information on the Green Woodpecker, have a look at the RSPB website.
Equally enchanting is the Great Spotted Woodpecker. Black and white with vibrant red under-tail feathers, it’s the drumming maestro of our treetops. Guests can often hear the sound of rhythmic tapping echoing through the trees (you can hear it here) —part of this bird’s territory-marking ritual during spring and early summer. For more information on the Great Spotted Woodpecker, have a look at the RSPB website.
Many of our guests delight in spotting—or hearing—the distinctive calls of these beautiful birds, often while enjoying a peaceful morning coffee on their cabin patio. They’re just part of the thriving birdlife that now calls Mallory Meadows home (you can read more about our feathered residents in our blog post here). Whether you’re an avid birdwatcher or simply soaking up the natural surroundings, nature encounters like these bring a touch of magic to the Mallory Meadows experience.
Find out more in our FREE Mallory Meadows Digital Guide.
If you are looking to visit our wonderful county of Leicestershire
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