Woodpeckers getting a bad rap in Co Clare

Sir, - You report that woodpeckers drumming on electricity poles (Environment, February 12th) are causing power outages in Co Clare with poles being weakened to the point of collapse.

Woodpeckers will choose rotten or hollow wood to enhance the resonance of their territorial drumming. I suspect they are doing ESB Networks a favour by highlighting poles that are already close to a state of collapse and need to be replaced anyway.

Dare I say the woodpeckers are getting a bad rap. – Yours, etc,

DAVID LOUGHLIN,

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