Voluntary forces and a bit of luck with fresh arrivals from Finland and the Baltic States have made the White-backed Woodpecker come back to southern Sweden once again. Still a major rarity but there are almost 10 pairs now in Uppland compared to single birds 15-20 years ago. This female was drumming quite intensively and was after a while joined by a male who also drummed for a short while. After a while they mated :)
And the background noise is not traffic for once but the rapids of Gysinge, Dalälven.

February 28, 2025. Dalälven
Wildtronic parabolic stereo dish + Mixpre 3ii

Once on the brink of extinction - White-backed Woodpecker

Field sound recordist and archivist of vanishing sounds in natural Iandscapes. Highly commended in the Sound of the Year Awards 2024 - Best Natural Sound.

Once on the brink of extinction - White-backed Woodpecker

Bo Söderström