Green Woodpeckers in Flight at Bushy Park

Welcome to my wildlife photography journal! Visiting a new location always brings a sense of excitement, never quite knowing what wildlife encounters the day will hold. On 19th July 2026, I made my first visit to Bushy Park, and it certainly lived up to my expectations, offering some fantastic opportunities to photograph one of Britain's most colourful woodland birds.

One of the highlights of the day was spending time photographing Green Woodpeckers in flight. Although they're often seen feeding on the ground in search of ants, watching them suddenly take to the air added an extra level of excitement and challenge. Their distinctive undulating flight, combined with their vibrant green plumage, flashes of yellow on the rump, and striking red crown, makes them an impressive sight as they weave effortlessly through the trees.

Capturing birds in flight is always rewarding, but photographing Green Woodpeckers presents its own unique test. Their rapid changes in direction and the way they disappear between branches demand quick reactions, careful camera settings, and a little bit of luck. Fortunately, everything came together on this occasion, allowing me to capture several images as they flew through the woodland, making the encounter even more memorable.

For a first visit, Bushy Park left a fantastic impression. The combination of mature woodland, open grassland, and abundant wildlife makes it a wonderful destination for both birdwatchers and wildlife photographers. If this visit was anything to go by, I'll certainly be returning in the future to discover what other photographic opportunities the park has to offer.

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into my first visit to Bushy Park. Be sure to explore my other wildlife photography blog posts, where I share more encounters, field experiences, and the stories behind the images from my time out in nature.