We had one - a greater spotted woodpecker - in gardens within Bedford Park. It behaved just as you've described it, drilling round an old tree here then making a hole that was impressively round and deep, only to find it taken over by the parakeets. I suppose it moved on having been denied its own home here. It drilled away throughout the day - a noise that annoyed me at first (waking me far earlier than I'd have liked) then it was a reassuring and pleasurable sound, reminding me that our area is leafy and gardeny enough for it to attract interesting birds and how lovely is that.
Joanna Biddolph ● 4409d