The lesser spotted woodpecker is a very charismatic bird species and inspires all who are lucky enough to observe it. It stands for structurally rich riparian forests, copses and old meadow orchards with a high proportion of deadwood and plays a key role in these ecosystems for many other cavity dwellers.

The woodpecker, which is only the size of a sparrow, lives inconspicuously and is considered a difficult bird species to record. There are few reliable figures on populations for Germany.

However, there are indications of a steady decline in the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. In Great Britain, breeding success and populations have declined dramatically in recent decades - the reasons for this have hardly been scientifically researched so far. Since the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker feeds on insects and spiders year-round, it is possible that it too has suffered from the severe insect decline.

Its habitats are also threatened - especially old meadow orchards, which need to be preserved. Are there similar declines of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in this country as in the UK? And if so, can we do something about it?

Senckenberg, together with LBV Bavaria and HGON, would like to investigate these questions over the next three years in the federal states of Bavaria and Hesse. 

For this we need your support! We are looking for Citizen Scientists from all over Hesse who would like to participate in the census or mapping of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and also in further studies.