To every bird its due
Holes left by the great spotted woodpecker are used by, for example, pygmy owl, great tit, starling and swift. Small holes after the crested tit and willow tit suit the blue tit, coal tit and marsh tit.
Key stone species
In particular, holes made by the black woodpecker can be re-used by many other species. The black woodpecker is said to be a "key stone species".
Owls in the box
Owls may also use nesting boxes, for example the Tengmalm's owl, tawny owl, pygmy owl and ural owl. Also a few web-footed birds, in particular the golden eye and goosander.
