{"id":1174,"date":"2025-06-18T15:00:31","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T13:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marimurtra.cat\/dead-wood-new-life-the-green-woodpecker-arrives-at-marimurtra\/"},"modified":"2025-06-18T15:00:31","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T13:00:31","slug":"dead-wood-new-life-the-green-woodpecker-arrives-at-marimurtra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marimurtra.cat\/en\/dead-wood-new-life-the-green-woodpecker-arrives-at-marimurtra\/","title":{"rendered":"Dead wood, new life: the green woodpecker arrives at Marimurtra"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Picot<\/a><\/p>\n

Dead trees<\/strong> are much more than fallen trunks<\/strong>. They are shelter, food, and living space for many species that would otherwise struggle to find a place to live, especially in urbanized environments. At Marimurtra we have a good example: the large Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis<\/em>) that, damaged by a windstorm a few years ago, ended up dying, but still stands upright within the Garden.

\nInstead of removing it, it was transformed into a Land Art sculpture<\/strong> thanks to the Blanes-based artist Miquel Gelabert<\/strong>. Today, this piece is not only an artistic element<\/strong> within the Garden’s landscape, but it has also become a valuable refuge<\/strong> for biodiversity.<\/p>\n

A new inhabitant in the Garden: the green woodpecker<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"Picot<\/a>This past winter and spring<\/strong> we had an extraordinary surprise<\/strong>: although the green woodpecker (Picus sharpei<\/em>) had occasionally been seen at Marimurtra in previous years, until now it had never been observed nesting there. This year, for the first time, it chose the dead pine to excavate a cavity<\/strong> and successfully raise two chicks<\/strong>.

\nThis event confirms how the presence of dead wood<\/strong> can benefit forest species that are hard to spot in humanized environments. The green woodpecker is a protected species<\/strong> and considered a bioindicator<\/strong>: its presence indicates a healthy and balanced environment. Its nesting at Marimurtra is, therefore, wonderful news<\/strong> for the Garden\u2019s biodiversity.<\/p>\n

Natural allies against pests<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Woodpeckers are more than beautiful and curious birds<\/strong>: they are excellent controllers of forest pests<\/strong>. With their strong beak and long, sticky tongue, they can capture insects hidden under the bark or inside the wood.

\nSome pests the green woodpecker can help control:<\/p>\n