A WOODPECKER which was thought to have almost died out locally has been spotted on a farm in Dorset.

The lesser spotted woodpecker was seen at Hollis Mead Organic Dairy Farm in Corscombe by the Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT).

Nationally, its population has fallen by 83 per cent since 1970 and there are only 12 breeding pairs in Dorset, the DWT said.

They believe the woodpecker has returned to Dorset because of Hollis Mead's 'organic farming system. 

DWT spotted the bird during a regular survey.

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Landowner liaison officer, Emily Newton said: "The lesser spotted woodpecker is an extremely rare bird in the UK and nationally, its population has fallen by 83% since 1970, but it is not extinct in Dorset and there are around 12 breeding pairs in the county.

"It is fantastic to have a record for Hollis Mead farm and now we know that it is there, we can work with Hollis Mead to ensure that the habitat is protected and create more of it.

"The lesser spotted woodpecker is rarely seen because it is a very shy and secretive bird about the size of a house sparrow.

"If like Hollis Mead, you support a ‘less is more’ approach in your farming system, don’t use artificial fertilizers, extensively graze, then the natural habitats are allowed to grow and provide the right environment to allow wildlife to thrive.”