I was just brought out of deep concentration while I was drawing, by a harsh, chattering, screeching noise outside. It had to be a green woodpecker.

I took my camera out, just in case the woodpecker might be having a contra temps with the cats up the willow tree. They usually have at least one set to each summer. But no, the woodpecker was in someone else’s garden. Then, suddenly, he was on top of next door’s chopped off leylandi and I managed to get this very grainy shot.

He’s back now, squawking away. Last year there was a whole family in the tree at the same time. I wonder if he is checking out the lay of the land to see if it is okay for his fledglings to come out and see the world?