great spotted woodpeckers

[i'mbraindead]

Can anybody tell me why for september and beginning of october each year the woodpeckers don't come and feed in my garden. They come the rest of the year and also the young feed as well. Yes i have thought perhaps they go on their annual holiday, but i think there must be a more serious reason than this!!

Thanks

[WendyS]

Possibly all the woodland insects and spiders have fattened up after the summer and there are plenty of pickings elsewhere.   Hopefully they'll return when the frost arrives and insects are harder to find, especially if you provide food and they know there's a regular supply.

[Chessman]

They probably will return, Woodpeckers, once they've nested, normally stay in the same area for some years,

[spudqueen]

I find that late summer/ early autumn is generally a quiet time of year for birds at my feeders as there is so much natural food around. They always come back as the food gets scarcer and the weather gets colder.

[i'mbraindead]

Thanks for your comments on this, this has been happening over the last fifteen or so years, and yes they always come back every October and i have food out all year round, as i am lucky to have a garden that backs onto farmland, so many different species visit, it may be that as the Woodpeckers are so noticeable, that when they are not around it is also more noticeable!!!